John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the inter-agency forum which was set up following the closure of Dungarvan Crystal continues to exist; if they succeeded in developing indigenous industry in the wake of the closure; the expenses that were claimed by this forum; if other costs were incurred by the forum; the persons who provided the funding for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27801/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The inter agency forum in question was established by the Waterford County Manager. It included representatives of the relevant Industrial Development agencies under the aegis of my Department. I understand from Waterford County Council that no expenses or other costs have been incurred by the forum. The administrative costs are borne by the County Council and each agency is responsible for the time and travel of its staff. I understand that the forum continues as an economic sub-group of Waterford County Development Board but that it now operates with agency representatives only.

As part of the forum's work, the Industrial Training agency FÁS led an employment / training group to respond to the needs of the workers who lost their jobs. To date, 290 former employees of the company in question have availed of FÁS training in Dungarvan at a cost of €308,000. I understand that of the 405 people directly affected by the closure, only a small number remain on the Live Register. Ten of these are working part-time and the remainder are availing of FÁS and other services and supports. As a further part of its work with the forum, FÁS is co-funding a Business Development Executive in Dungarvan where significant progress is being made on Economic Development measures for the area.

Enterprise Ireland is the agency responsible for developing indigenous industry in the region. A range of strategies, programmes and financial incentives are in place to promote economic development that give rise to sustainable employment. In connection with the forum, a sum of €300,000 was approved for a new Community Enterprise Centre in Dungarvan. At present, the agency is working with 192 client companies in Co. Waterford, which, according to the 2006 Forfas Annual Employment Survey, employ 4,910 people.

I am confident that the strategies being pursued will continue to bring sustainable indigenous industry to the region.