Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. Will he and his colleague, the Minister, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, maintain contact with the statutory agencies under the Department's remit to ensure they maintain contact with the employees who will be affected and that all possible support is given to those people when they seek upskilling, retraining and alternative employment. I must emphasise again the need for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the State's other industrial promotion agencies to maintain contact with the company to maximise the level of employment at the Cavan site. In 2012 and a year ago, when I raised the issue before in the House, the then Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, stated the company gave a commitment that it would maintain more than 1,000 jobs at the three sites. That commitment given to the Government, and specifically to the Minister of Finance, Deputy Noonan, has not been honoured. Accordingly, there is an onus on the State, through the Ministers' good offices and the statutory jobs agencies, to impress upon the company its obligations.

It has a particular obligation to the Cavan town site. The company was founded there and has expanded with additional offices in Blanchardstown. The Minister of State referred to the company's proposal to develop an IT project which will result in 150 jobs in Blanchardstown, which I welcome. However, I am concerned about the diminution in the influence of the Cavan office and the number of employees there. We need jobs in Blanchardstown but it is easier to bring jobs to the greater Dublin area than it is to Cavan. That is why I am appealing to the Minister of State to ensure the maximum level of employment is maintained in Cavan.

The loss of more jobs at Liberty Insurance in Cavan is a serious blow to the local economy. It is particularly difficult for the employees who will be affected. For the past several years, we have seen a severe reduction in the number of employees in Cavan. I know practically all of them who have lost their jobs. They are predominantly from the Cavan-Monaghan area. Those working there now are concerned about their future and need every possible reassurance and support from the State.

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