Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 62: To ask the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the progress made to date on protecting employment at Bank of America, Carrick on Shannon, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36057/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My priority is that any decision taken by Bank of America should have minimal impact on employees at the Carrick-on-Shannon operation and ensure that jobs are maintained at the facility. I emphasised this when I met with senior executives from Bank of America at their headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina in September. Since then, IDA Ireland has engaged in actively marketing the Carrick-on-Shannon centre through its network of overseas offices to a broad range of financial institutions and other international groups who may have a potential interest in the skillsets and capabilities available.

As part of its marketing campaign, the IDA prepared a detailed profile of the Carrick-on-Shannon facility which documented the capability available to a prospective acquirer of the business or facility, including staff and properties.

The IDA has met with a number of potential bidders for both the Ireland MBNA portfolio and the combined Ireland-UK MBNA portfolio. It has also introduced some of these parties to potential funding partners who might support potential bids. These are mainly global investment banks and private equity groups. No sale decisions have yet been taken by Bank of America but we remain in ongoing contact.