Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue.

The announcement yesterday by Molex that it was to close its facility in Shannon was deeply disappointing. I understand fully how important an employer the company has been and the role it has played in supporting jobs and enterprise in the mid-west since 1971. Of course, our immediate concern is for the workers and their families who are impacted on by the announcement. Many of the workers have been with Molex for many years, which makes the news all the more difficult. The Government is, therefore, determined to act as swiftly as possible to address the closure and help to mitigate, as much as it can, the consequences for the workers and the Shannon region.

I spoke to the CEO of Molex yesterday about the announcement to see if there was any alternative and he assured me that the decision could not be changed. I travelled to Shannon this morning, together with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Breen - Deputy Carey was also present, with other local representatives - to convene a meeting with representatives from the State's enterprise agencies, Departments, Clare County Council, third level institutions and the local business community to help to determine how best we could respond. Our discussions were an important first step in responding to the announcement. The main priority for all involved is to address the short-term needs of the workers impacted on and make every State support available to them. The supports will include assisting the workers in finding alternative employment and helping them to re-skill to ensure they will do so. IDA Ireland will also be marketing the building to try to ensure another business will be established in it. Looking further ahead, we need, as was agreed collectively this morning, to make sure we create new opportunities in the mid-west region that will help to offset many of the job losses. The mid-west regional enterprise plan which was launched earlier this year wilt be a critical tool in that respect. It was also encouraging to learn more about the skills of the Molex employees. I am confident that these skills will be in demand from other employers in the area.

While the news is a significant blow for Shannon and the wider area, it is important to say that mid-west region continues to provide a very attractive offering for multinational and indigenous enterprises. The region has seen significant investment in the last three years and key employers in the region include many large-scale manufacturing employers such as Beckton, Dickinson, Edwards Lifesciences, Analog Devices, Johnson and Johnson, Regeneron, Stryker and Zimmer. The overall trend in job creation in Ireland - it is important to emphasise this point - remains very positive.

As difficult as it may be to appreciate now, we have reason to be confident that we will find new investment and opportunities for the employees of Molex. The Shannon site will not close fully until the end of 2020. In the meantime, I assure the Deputies that it will be an absolute priority for the Government to help the workers to transition into new jobs. What we are doing following meeting this morning is setting up a core team of key people who will co-ordinate the response locally. Deputy Quinlivan mentioned European funds. A contributor at the meeting, at which 30 people were present from all of the different agencies involved, said the one thing one should not do was to rush in to make an application. If one is to be successful in obtaining European funds, one needs to identify the skill set required, find out exactly what one wants to do and the application will then need to be made. The Deputy is correct in saying the money available was not drawn down fully the last time an application was made. That was because it was a knee-jerk reaction. It is important, therefore, that we look at this in the whole, make the right application and receive all possible support from the European Globalisation Fund to ensure the workers will receive the right training.

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