Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 43: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the threat to jobs at a company (details supplied); the requests for assistance she has received from the company; if it is intended to provide assistance to the company, particularly having regard to its importance to the local and national economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23930/08]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 71: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the rationale for the decision to refuse to underwrite Waterford Wedgwood loans; if she proposes to allocate funds for a targeted package for investment in retraining for workers who may become unemployed as a result of the financial difficulties at Waterford Wedgwood; if she will propose an alternative mechanism for maintaining the production of Waterford Crystal in Waterford over the long term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21958/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 71 together.

Management of Waterford Wedgwood plc requested support to assist in the implementation of its restructuring plan at Waterford Crystal. Detailed discussions were held with the company with a view to identifying possible interventions that would assist them to successfully complete the planned restructuring in Waterford, while not undermining the policy position that has underpinned our enterprise development strategies over the last 20 years or so.

The thrust of this enterprise strategy is to concentrate State support to firms for investments which will help them to compete successfully in an increasingly globalised economy. The Government sees its role as helping to create an economic environment where business can prosper, focusing on interventions that are related to developmental investment by companies, such as R&D grants, support for upskilling, etc. Such policy does not extend to providing the type of support sought by the Company in this case.

While it was not possible to accede to the Company's request for assistance, the Government believes that there is a solid future for a restructured Waterford Crystal operation in Ireland and has asked that the Board of Waterford Wedgwood, its management and its staff work together to agree such financial and other measures as are necessary for the successful implementation of the restructuring plan. Any request or proposal from the Company for aid for future new investment will be considered sympathetically by the enterprise development agencies, as appropriate.

Following the announcement of the restructuring programme at Waterford Crystal in November 2007, FÁS engaged directly with the company and with staff representatives to discuss the range of services that could be made available to the workers. The agency agreed to establish a sustained service on-site at the company offering the agency's full range of supports.

FÁS also works in co-operation with other agencies to maximise the opportunities for affected staff, in particular with Waterford Institute of Technology and the VEC in the provision of appropriate Adult Education options, and to facilitate longer duration development for those who wish to avail of it.