Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. My thoughts, like his, are in the first instance with the employees impacted. This decision was flagged by the company in March but yesterday it was confirmed to staff that the decision to close its Irish site will proceed. I understand this is part of the company reviewing its global structure. It has been implementing cost-cutting measures over the past year, which have included the closure and downsizing of other facilities this year and last.

I am told that the closure of operations at Castletroy will happen over the next number of months. I assure the Deputy that the Government and our agencies will be on hand to support workers. In terms of immediate supports, the new pay-related benefit will be available to workers. It is instances such as this that highlight the need for the benefit.

I understand that the staff involved cover a wide range of specialist areas. They include data scientists and analysts, AI engineers, software engineers and product managers. These are highly skilled people with highly skilled roles. I know the Minister, Deputy Burke, will be working hard with our enterprise agencies to identify new job opportunities for those staff members.

The mid-west has, as the Deputy knows, a significant ecosystem in this area. The focus now will be on trying to identify new opportunities for the region and the workers. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Burke, and the IDA to keep in close contact with the Deputy. Specifically on the issue the Deputy raised in respect of Revenue, I will ask the Minister, Deputy Burke, to come back to him.

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