Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she is taking or will take to ensure the maximum level of job retention at a company (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43273/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Since the announcement last year of a restructuring programme by the company in question, the priority has been to minimise the number of job losses that would occur. The Industrial Development agencies, primarily Enterprise Ireland and FÁS, have been working very closely in this regard. However, the final decision in relation to jobs rests with the company itself.

Once the restructuring programme was announced, FÁS engaged directly with the company and with staff representatives to discuss the range of services that could be made available to the workers. Indeed, the agency established for a time, a sustained service on-site at the company offering the full range of FÁS supports. Staff of the agency will be on-site again for the next three months. It is expected that a more intensive response will be required from July to September next year.

An open evening for workers attended by the Vocational Education Committee, Waterford Institute of Technology, the Waterford City Enterprise Board and FÁS was held last month. An employment group organised by FÁS and Waterford Chamber of Commerce is co-ordinating responses from recruiting employers. This has included identifying and responding to skill gaps through a meeting between employer representatives and education and training providers. A local Jobs Fair is being planned by FÁS for early next year which will target employers who are recruiting in the area. The agency also intends to provide a range of short technical skills updating courses.