John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will impress upon Enterprise Ireland the importance of engaging in a meaningful way with a group (details supplied) to ensure that every effort is made to secure replacement jobs in west Limerick following substantial job losses in the chicken processing and poultry growing industry; and if he will encourage Shannon Development to continue their valuable dialogue with the group. [40423/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am confident that the State Development agencies, in partnership with other key players, including the group in question, will strengthen their marketing and promotion efforts in the region and will continue to secure additional employment for the area particularly in view of the recent job losses in the local chicken processing and poultry growing industry. As regards the assets of the poultry company that closed recently, Enterprise Ireland will work with Shannon Development to assist the purchasers of the assets of the company to develop their businesses. So far, none of the assets have been sold, although it is expected that some sales will occur in the near future.

Shannon Development has had ongoing contact with the group in question in relation to a number of issues in particular, the recent job losses. Indeed, a meeting between the two regarding these and other pertinent issues was held on 1 November. I understand that both parties were pleased with the meeting and that the outcome was satisfactory from the point of view of all concerned.

Both the Government and the Industrial Development agencies recognise the need to create high volume employment opportunities in Co Limerick that will provide sustainable jobs. The most recent example of the attraction of Limerick as a location for new business was the decision by Northern Trust Corporation to create 300 high quality jobs in the financial services sector. Another example is Vistakon, which recently announced its intention to expand its Limerick operation and create some 120 jobs in high-end manufacturing.

There is general buoyancy in overall employment in Co. Limerick as evidenced by the most recent Live Register figures released by the Central Statistics Office. These show that for October, 2006, the Live Register figure for the County is 6,888 which is more than 4% down on the previous month's figure of 7,205.