Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 335: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the replacement jobs for those being lost at a company (details supplied) in Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4363/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The company in question has undertaken a major restructuring and upgrading of its plant in Naas, County Kildare. Although the restructuring involved 245 redundancies, the company has chosen Ireland as the international manufacturing site for its next generation of products, involving substantial capital investment at its plant. Those workers who lost their jobs are highly skilled workers, and Enterprise Ireland anticipates that some of the former employees will avail themselves of the supports provided by Enterprise Ireland to develop their own technology-based businesses. In addition, FÁS is also assisting the affected workers to plan new careers, identify training needs and secure alternative employment.

The industrial development agencies continue to market Naas for investment and job creation. Both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are working with their client companies with a view to supporting such companies with potential investment and expansion or diversification of activities that would strengthen their presence in Naas.

County Kildare has in recent years attracted some world-class manufacturing companies such as Intel, Wyeth Medica, Braun Oral B and Hewlett Packard. In addition, on 5 May last, I performed the official opening of International Fund Services (Ireland) Limited's office in Naas. That facility is on target to employ 240 people by the end of 2006. The announcement last year by Green Isle Foods of a €22.6 million expansion investment, supported by Enterprise Ireland, which is now under way, will lead to the creation of 130 additional jobs in Naas, from a current base of 630.

I am satisfied that the strategies and policies being pursued by the industrial development agencies, under the aegis of my Department, will continue to maximise sustainable job creation and investment opportunities in Naas and the surrounding area.