Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is a fear abroad among the smaller operators, many of whom are talking about shutting up shop. While everyone is in favour of creating jobs, we must hold on to what is in place. In fairness, I have been in contact with the local enterprise office, LEO, in County Roscommon and with the National Standards Authority of Ireland, NSAI, and we held meetings in Claremorris to try to explain to people what was going on. Ms Cáit Kenny in the Roscommon local enterprise office has been outstanding in trying to co-ordinate efforts try to bring some reason to this issue. Prices were quoted that were extortionate. While bigger operators with 50 to 70 people working in them will stay in the business, unless something is done through the LEOs, Skillnets or SOLAS, the smaller operators in the different corners of Ireland, that is, those firms with two, three or four jobs, will be pushed out.

We need to get to grips with this matter. Going by my tally, Skillsnet can give 20% of funding towards training. There needs to be joined-up thinking on this with existing resources used to assist training programmes along with funding. The responsible authority in Northern Ireland has given 50% of the funding for training in all the different procedures. For example, to get a welding fabricator certification, welds will have to be sent away for inspection, as well as a new welder co-ordination test.

Everyone appreciates the economic recovery. We need to keep these types of firms in business as they are vulnerable, coming through patchy work over the past few years. They have kept going and stemmed the tide. While the directive has been in place since last July, if it is thrown at these welders and small welding firms now, some of them will give up. The LEO, local enterprise office, boards will explain how a large number of people are concerned about this directive being implemented. If SOLAS, An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna, or Enterprise Ireland wants to get involved in the new training requirements, they will have to liaise with the LEOs because they know the different firms affected in their counties. Funding is needed to be given directly to those doing these courses. If we do not, much-needed jobs will be lost in all parts of the country.

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