Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Brendan Smith that the regions have been most affected by job losses over the years. There is a perception that new jobs are only going into the greater Dublin area and other urban hubs. That is why we have put into place the Action Plan for Jobs which has been successful. Last year, the IDA supported 1,165 jobs in the Cavan area. Some of the jobs announcements there have been positive for the region.

I will talk to the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Leo Varadkar, to ensure the employees in question are looked after. They are skilled workers who have dedicated their careers to this specific area. That is why the agencies and the IDA are working with Liberty Insurance to look at the profile of those employees affected by the redundancies and ensure they can be matched with potential employers.

The Action Plan for Jobs in the northern region has done well and its targets will be met. We will establish a north west regional skills forum which will include the flow of critical skills to enterprise in the region. There will be collaboration between the enterprise agencies, the education and training boards and the institutes of technology. They will develop a marketing proposition around insurance and tentacle services clusters in the north-west and Cavan area.

I am confident we can create jobs in the region. I regret very much that there will be 70 job losses at the Cavan and Dublin Liberty Insurance offices. However, I hope the company will get the necessary voluntary redundancies and there will not be forced redundancies. I hope those taking voluntary redundancy will get a good package. Both the Minister and I will work hard to ensure jobs are brought to the region.

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