Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the permanent redundancies in a plant (details supplied) in County Tipperary and of their future plans for restructuring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26800/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I understand from Enterprise Ireland that 31 redundancies were recently announced at the company in question and a further 15 people are ceasing work on 2 November, 2007. I am very conscious of the implications of these redundancies for the workers involved. The relevant State agencies, particularly the Industrial Training agency FÁS, will provide every support they can to any of the workers who wish to avail of agency services.

The company has experienced a reduction in sales of its premium cider brand in the United Kingdom, primarily due to the impact of the bad weather there during the summer. I understand that the company's volume cider sales in the UK are 30% below target. Employment in the company has risen rapidly from 330 people in 2004 to 610.

Enterprise Ireland is in regular contact with the company and is currently discussing how the agency can be of assistance to the company with its research and development programme. To date, Enterprise Ireland has approved almost €300,000 in funding under its Research Technology and Innovation Scheme for the company and the agency expects all of this funding to be drawn down. The agency will continue to work very closely with the company during this challenging period.