Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of actual job losses that were successfully identified in advance by the early warning system operating under his Department; the action taken following said identification and the outcome thereof; and the number of potential job losses predicted by the EWS for the year end 31 December 2007. [14079/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Early Warning System of potential job losses and firms in difficulty operating in my Department is an internal system based on material provided on a confidential basis through IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development. Not only is the information confidential, but it is also very sensitive. Indeed, the information is provided initially by the relevant companies on the basis that it will be treated as both confidential and sensitive. It is important for the companies in question that no advantage is given away to their competitors.

Notification of firms in difficulty can range from a number of hours to a number of months. Clearly, the earlier the notification the more time there is for the Industrial Development agencies to work with the companies to minimise potential job losses or avoid them completely if alternative business can be secured. The actions of the agencies in this regard are handled on a one to one basis with each individual client and it is of the utmost importance that the client / agency confidential working relationship is upheld.

I am satisfied with the system that is currently in operation but I am acutely aware that it can only continue to operate if all parties continue to respect the sensitive and confidential nature of this work.