Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I apologise to the House. I made some late changes to my script and no copy is available. I shall provide one to the Deputy and the House first thing in the morning.

I thank Deputy O'Mahony for raising this issue on the Adjournment. I share his concerns. As he is aware, Baxter Pharmaceuticals announced last Thursday that it planned to seek 150 permanent voluntary redundancies and the conclusion of 50 temporary contracts. As Deputy O'Mahoney indicated, the company stated this position was due to the economic downturn and its subsequent impact on European health care cost saving measures and the ongoing need to improve cost competitiveness. However, it is important to stress that the company will continue to employ almost 900 people when these redundancies are completed and it has committed its future in the Castlebar plant.

I assure the Deputy that the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, together with Mayo County Enterprise Board and Mayo County Council are working to facilitate and support enterprise development in Mayo. Key to the IDA strategy for Mayo within the western region is to progress the development of a knowledge-based economy so that Mayo, and, in particular, the linked hubs of Castlebar and Ballina, with Westport as a priority location, can compete both nationally and internationally for foreign direct investment. IDA's strategy for its west region is to support the growth and development of the region's existing clients by working with them to increase their strategic importance through additional functions and activities, to market the west region to overseas clients in order to secure new greenfield investment, to strengthen the region's product by working with relevant partners, including local authorities, third level institutions and service providers to enhance the region's eco system and to provide property solutions with supporting infrastructure to attract foreign direct investment. In this regard the IDA has invested and continues to invest significantly in the provision of plant and focus property solutions in the west, specifically in County Mayo with the development of business and technology parks in Westport and Castlebar and the purchase of 11.5 hectares of industrial-zoned land on the Sligo road in Ballina.

There are 18 IDA-supported companies in County Mayo employing more than 2,900 people in permanent jobs with a further 500 temporary positions and contract employment. Enterprise Ireland activities focus on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs who set up new high-potential start-up companies, the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies and enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at national and regional level through supporting research companies in third level institutions. Enterprise Ireland-supported companies in County Mayo in 2009 included Construction Management Software Limited, INTIME Group Limited and the Ovegen Group. Enterprise Ireland also supports community enterprise centres in eight locations, including Ballina, Ballyhaunis, Brickens, Castlebar, Claremorris, Foxford, Killala and Kiltimagh, and funding for the community council has recently been reactivated.

I accept Deputy O'Mahony's concerns in regard to infrastructure. As he stated, we organised a meeting recently with the Taoiseach, specifically in regard to the bypasses he mentioned at Ballaghaderreen and Longford and the completion of the N5. We continue to make the case for those projects. I noted the comments he gave made by a chief executive officer but draw his attention to comments from another CEO who complimented Government enterprise policy in regard to decisions his company came to in announcing expansion of its existing facilities. I also noted commentary in local newspapers by Castlebar town council about its willingness to work on new solutions with the IDA. I would be happy to facilitate that and will facilitate Deputy O'Mahony in any initiative to encourage enterprise in the county and specifically to encourage a response to the situation in Baxter Healthcare. Our thoughts are with the workers affected and I am happy to assure the House that the agencies involved will be on hand to support them in any way they can.

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