Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 37: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans for job creation in Limerick in view of the announcement of the loss of 700 jobs at a plant (details supplied) and the loss of a further 100 jobs at another plant. [41958/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am very conscious of the implications of job losses in Limerick and the entire Mid West area. In many cases such company announcements are a result of global conditions and/or global decisions, over which we have little or no influence.

While the news of job losses in both Dell and Irish Express Cargo is most disappointing, it is important to be aware of plans of many companies to reinvest in the area. As per the 2007 Employment Survey, Limerick currently has 39 IDA grant-aided companies employing approximately 8,960 employees. IDA Ireland has since September 2006 announced nine new projects for Limerick and the Mid West region with a job potential of over 1,000 people at full operation. For its part, Enterprise Ireland has a client base of 269 companies employing some 7,000 people in County Limerick. EI provides a range of supports and incentives to those companies to maintain and expand their businesses.

IDA Ireland's strategy for the Mid West Region and Limerick is to win new FDI in innovation driven, high value, high skills sectors; to work with the existing company base to expand their presence by increasing the number and scale of functions being carried out; to promote balanced regional development and to influence the provision of modern property solutions with supporting infrastructure.

The investment projects which IDA are seeking to attract to Limerick today are much different to those of the past, relying principally on the skills of its people and on a strong business and educational infrastructure to pull investment to the county. IDA's strategy is to re-position the region as a hotspot for knowledge based industry, while focusing on marketing Limerick as a key location for investment by building on the strengths already evident in the county. To support this strategy, IDA Ireland works closely with educational institutions in the region to develop the skill sets necessary to attract high value-added employment to the county. IDA is also working closely with the existing base of employers to encourage additional investment, particularly in activities such as R&D, customer support and back office functions. IDA works closely with Shannon Development in the provision of suitable property solutions for potential investors to the county.

In cases where downsizing and closures occur, the State development agencies IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development, FÁS and the County Enterprise Boards provide a co-ordinated and cohesive support response.