Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he will take to bring alternative employment to Ballivor, County Meath following the closure of the NEC plant there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31913/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Finding alternative employment for the workers in question is a priority for the State Development agencies and, last week, myself and the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources met with a representative group from Ballivor, including some former workers, and outlined ongoing developments and stressed the priority efforts being made in Ballivor.

The Industrial Training agency FÁS has briefed all staff on the range of services available to them and many of them continue to participate in the various programmes run by the agency. Since the announcement of the job losses, Enterprise Ireland has participated at a number of meetings with the company concerned, outlining the various types of assistance that are available. In conjunction with Meath County Enterprise Board, Enterprise Ireland is participating in a series of workshops, which started in July 2006. These workshops concern Ideas Generation and how to Start Your Own Business. These courses are on going.

A major financial services project which will provide 700 jobs over 5 years was recently announced for Navan and this will be of significant benefit to County Meath as a whole. Notwithstanding this, IDA Ireland continues to promote Ballivor as a priority location within the County and is actively promoting the facility in question for new investment. To date, three potential investors have been introduced to the management of the existing facility. I am aware that the State Development agencies have strengthened their marketing efforts in County Meath, in partnership with local interests, in order to increase job opportunities for Ballivor and the surrounding area.