Written answers

Wednesday, 27 September 2006

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Job Losses

8:00 pm

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 955: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he proposes to enter into discussions with Enterprise Ireland with a view to the creation of alternative jobs to replace the 146 jobs lost in the restructuring plans of a company (details supplied), and in particular the 64 redundancies announced in the small community of Lough Egish and Carrickmacross, County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29333/06]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am very concerned about the job losses announced in the company and their impact on the workers, their families and the local communities. Finding alternative employment for the workers is a priority for the State Development agencies and IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and FÁS will play their part in developing a way forward for the workers. The role of FÁS, the State Training agency, will be particularly important in assisting those who are to lose their jobs and the agency will make its full range of services available to the workers if they wish to avail of those services. I understand an initial meeting between the company and FÁS is scheduled to take place next week.

In recent years, Enterprise Ireland approved funding in support of Community Enterprise Centres in Lough Egish, Ballybay, Castleblaney, Emyvale and Monaghan. In addition, Enterprise Ireland has also worked with the local community in Lough Egish to develop the Lough Egish Food Park. In total, there are eight food companies located in the Food Park employing approximately 180 people. Furthermore, under the most recent round of Community Enterprise Centre funding that I announced in April 2006, Enterprise Ireland has approved €350,000 for a new Community Enterprise Centre in Carrickmacross.

The State Development agencies, including IDA Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards, will continue to strengthen their marketing efforts, in partnership with local interests, in order to increase employment opportunities for the areas where the job losses are to take place.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.