Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

FÁS will register people as job seekers, provide career information and guidance and carry out a training needs analysis. It will provide a range of training courses designed to meet the skill needs of individuals to enhance their employability, while also providing the area with a skilled workforce. Enterprise Ireland began discussions last week with the company to discuss supports for any possible start-ups by local senior management.

The industrial development agencies were working hard in Ballinasloe prior to the closure announcement. IDA Ireland was already active in the promotion of Ballinasloe for new inward investment, with the key focus being on providing international standard property solutions in the town to attract new companies. In light of the closure of Square D, IDA Ireland has now finalised plans and a planning application has been lodged with Galway County Council for a new 27,000 sq. ft. technology unit on IDA Ireland's 30 acre business park in Ballinasloe. When planning permission is granted, construction will be undertaken by private developers and IDA Ireland has already begun to actively market this facility as well as promoting the Square D facility in the town.

Enterprise Ireland has approved funding of €120,000 for the work in progress at the community owned enterprise centre and it is understood there is still some space available for potential projects. The Galway county and city enterprise board has been actively involved in industrial-community development in Ballinasloe. During 2002, considerable progress was made with the area community development group with £63,000 allocated to the small business development park which now houses four start-up businesses. Over the past three years, Ballinasloe has received some £350,000 in support from the county enterprise board.

At Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and Galway University, there are enterprise platform programmes with places available for staff of Square D who may have an idea to start up their own manufacturing/international traded services businesses. This programme affords the opportunity to develop business plans and carry out market research for ideas before starting a business. A similar new programme is about to commence in the Athlone Institute of Technology.