Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the recent job loss announcement of 1900 job losses at a company (details supplied); the consequences for the mid-west region; her plans to set up a mid-west regional task force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1128/09]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has finalised the terms of reference for the setting up of a mid-west regional task force; the composition of this task force; if Clare representation will be included on the task force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1364/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 195 together.

On 8th January last, Dell announced its intention to reduce its workforce by 1,900, at its plant in Raheen, Limerick. I am keenly aware of the impact this decision will have on Dell's employees and their families. The relevant State agencies under the remit of my Department are working to take the appropriate actions to support those to be made redundant to find new employment, including assistance to re-skill and re-train to enhance their future employment potential.

FÁS Mid-west has put in place a team to deal specifically with redundancies in Dell and other companies in the Region. As an initial step, the following services have been offered to Dell employees at a meeting held on their premises on the 12th January last.

Group Briefing Sessions for staff to outline the range of FÁS Services available to them

Individual one to one guidance interviews will include

Identification of current qualifications and job requirements

Provision of information on job opportunities, Mid-west, national and EU

Identification of upskilling training requirements

Provision of a broad range of training programmes in response

Referral to educational providers where appropriate

Referral to Enterprise Boards regarding Start Your Own Business initiatives, where appropriate.

In addition FÁS will be hosting Training/Job Opportunities events in Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary. These events will have local, national and European vacancies on display as well as employers in attendance.

I am also conscious of the implications of job losses in Limerick and the entire Mid West area. In this respect, IDA Ireland has been working diligently to secure new investments, and over the last year companies like Vistakon, Zimmer, Cook, DTS and Microsemi have had announcements in the Region. The Agency currently has a pipeline of projects under consideration. These potential investments are being pursued and IDA will do everything possible to speed up the investment decisions in Limerick's favour.

In addition, Enterprise Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards in the Mid-west provide a range of services and supports to indigenous small and medium sized companies in the region and will be very much involved in supporting Dell workers that may be considering business start-ups. I have already announced my intention to establish a Task Force for the Mid-west region. At the time of preparation of this reply, final details of the Task Force are being finalised.