Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 514: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on efforts by FÁS and other State agencies to assist the workers in companies (details supplied) in Dublin 24, where job losses were recently announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11731/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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When job losses are announced, the relevant agencies under the aegis of my Department adopt a coordinated approach in dealing with the situation and in making the workforce aware of the supports available to assist in finding new employment or to start their own business. The Industrial Training agency FÁS has written to both of these companies offering its services. The agency will make its full range of services available to employees who wish to avail of these services.

As regards the first company, Enterprise Ireland has been working closely with other interested parties to deliver a joint presentation on starting your own business, while FÁS plans to carry out a staff profile of all members of staff. The latter agency's services can then be tailored to the requirements of particular staff. Approaches were made to the company immediately following the job loss announcement and were repeated on 7 February last. The company has said that agency services would be most effective if provided in mid to late April. The first redundancies are not scheduled to take place until September. The State Development agencies and other interested parties have been working together in preparation for a meeting later this month.

In relation to the second company, Enterprise Ireland and FÁS have been working closely with other interested parties regarding the recent closure announcement. The agencies are trying to arrange a meeting with the staff in order to advise them of the range of services available. However, to date, I understand that no response has been forthcoming from the company so efforts are still being made to facilitate the staff. I can assure you that the Industrial Development agencies will continue to promote Tallaght in order to optimize the flow of potential investors and convert these into job opportunities for the area.