Written answers

Thursday, 27 September 2007

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Job Losses

5:00 pm

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the proposed closure of a plant (details supplied) in County Louth with the loss of 256 jobs; the steps he will take to save whatever jobs are possible; the advance information the IDA had in relation to this closure; his views on whether State financial support for other plants here influenced the company decision to close the plant in Drogheda; his proposals to attract new manufacturing industry and inward investment to Drogheda and the priority such efforts will have within his Department; if he will visit Drogheda as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21357/07]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On 29 August last, IDA Ireland was informed by the company in question that it intended to announce the closure of its manufacturing and distribution operations in Drogheda on that day. The decision was due to excess capacity in Ireland. All manufacturing and distribution currently carried out in Drogheda will be transferred to the company's other Irish plants in Athy and Ballina. Both of these plants have sufficient capacity to meet future demand. The company's shared services operation in Drogheda will remain in place and employ 112 people. The company expects to create an additional 90 jobs in Co. Kildare and Co. Mayo with employees having an option of transferring from Drogheda.

I should point out that the company will continue to employ over 500 people in its business here in Ireland. I know that, over the years, the company has enjoyed a warm relationship with the people of Drogheda and other businesses in the town and I am confident that it will continue to play an active role in the local community.

The company is committed to supporting its employees through a generous redundancy package, retraining, business start up assistance, a high level of outplacement and by promoting the skills and expertise of its employees. The services of FÁS, the Industrial Training agency, will also be available to those workers who wish to avail of them.

The Industrial Development agencies will continue to promote Drogheda and Co. Louth in general for new industrial development. There were two significant job announcements for Drogheda last year involving some 350 new jobs. Over 430 new jobs were announced for Dundalk last year in two major developments.

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