Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Smith for raising this issue. I am concerned about this closure announcement for Carrickmacross. Not only is it confirming a large number of job losses, but it was totally unexpected, and the manner in which the news was broken to long-serving staff was a poor reflection on the company. The way in which this devastating news was given to Bose staff was uncaring, cold and unacceptable. As a Minister from the Border region, I am taking a close personal interest in the matter and I am acutely aware of the impact this announcement is having on workers, their families and the wider community in Monaghan, Cavan and Louth.

We must be mindful of the plight of the workers at Bose and their families as they face into an extremely difficult time following the announcement. As Deputy Smith outlined, many of the workers have very long service with the company and have shown considerable flexibility and adaptability on work practices over the years. The staff have been very responsive to the needs of their employer and the business. It is upsetting to learn at very short notice that production is being transferred to Malaysia and Mexico. I understand that another Bose facility in North Carolina is also due to close.

An inter-agency group, led by Enterprise Ireland, has now been established to address the job losses at Bose. Its membership includes representatives of all the relevant State players - that is, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Department of Social Protection, SOLAS, the Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, the local enterprise office, LEO, and Monaghan County Council. The group is providing a co-ordinated approach to the needs of the affected staff. In addition, my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, has spoken directly with company management in the United States. He expressed the Government's regret at the way in which this announcement was handled, and particularly the lack of notice given to workers and to the enterprise agencies, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. I understand he also asked the company if it would reconsider its decision or extend the period of notice that has been given to workers. Unfortunately, the company is insistent that the closure will happen. As Deputy Smith also outlined, the Minister is also arranging a meeting with a senior Bose executive who is travelling to Ireland from the USA to discuss the situation.

I myself have been in contact with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland at the highest levels and have asked them to redouble their efforts to secure new projects for County Monaghan and the broader region, to explore all opportunities to replace the jobs being lost in Carrickmacross and, thereby, to find a replacement industry for the site. We must focus on the skill sets of the employees to pursue new job opportunities for those workers. The IDA has already contacted its network of offices worldwide in an effort to find replacement investment. It is worth remembering that the IDA has been particularly successful in attracting major employers to the north east region in recent years and will seek to build on that success in highlighting the clear advantages of Monaghan, with which I am only too familiar.

Enterprise Ireland, whose companies in the region have been very successful in increasing job numbers in recent years, will pursue all possibilities among its client companies to seek to identify a potential replacement for the town. The agency will continue to develop expansion projects by Irish companies in the area, as it has done in recent years.

I reassure Deputy Smith that I and my Department are working closely with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to get certain projects across the line in the Cavan and Monaghan area which will deliver investment and jobs. Everything that can be done will be done in this case. Deputy Smith has my personal assurance of that.

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