Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 78: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the background to proposed redundancies in a company (details supplied); if the company has notified her of the justification for this move in accordance with the laws governing redundancy and the arrangement under social partnership; and if there are policy initiatives planned to ease the situation for the workers threatened with redundancy. [13945/04]

Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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From inquiries made in this Department we have found that on 27 April 2004, the company concerned wrote to the Tánaiste giving her full notification of the proposed collective redundancies under section 12 of the Protection of Employment Act 1977. The company also stated that the employee representatives had been consulted, as set out in sections 9 and 10 of that Act. I understand that it is proposed to make 70 employees redundant out of a total workforce of 688 employees. There are no initiatives planned in this case.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she proposes to take to bring about replacement jobs for those likely to be lost at a company (details supplied) in Naas, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14014/04]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which she received prior knowledge of the impending closure of a company (details supplied) in Naas, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14015/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.

Champion Automotive, Naas, County Kildare, informed IDA Ireland of its intention to close on 7 May 2004. I understand from IDA Ireland that the facility will be closed in the next few months with the loss of approximately 50 jobs. The news of the intended closure is disappointing, particularly for the workers affected and their families. The company is highly specialised and automated and obtains high levels of productivity. However, due to the extended life expectancy for spark plugs, the market for their product has been declining over the years and the parent company has decided to concentrate its production in the US and UK. On commencement of redundancies, FÁS will make its full range of services available to the company and the employees, while Enterprise Ireland and the Kildare County Enterprise Board will provide advice and support to any employees interested in starting their own business.

As regards positive developments, there are a number of significant projects in Kildare for which companies are actively recruiting at present. In Newbridge, Wyeth Medica's €70 million investment is being implemented and an active media recruitment campaign is under way. In Leixlip, Intel is actively recruiting, as is Hewlett Packard in Celbridge. IDA Ireland is strongly marketing the Millennium Business Park facility in Naas to prospective investors. I assure the Deputy that the State development agencies under the aegis of my Department will continue to promote the Kildare area for enterprise development.