Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 124: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of all the expressions of interest for a company (details supplied) at Dublin Airport; when she expects progress on these proposals to maintain jobs at this centre of aviation maintenance and engineering; if she has recently met with the chief executive officer of the company; if not, the reason for same; the efforts she and her colleagues are taking to facilitate the 26 senior apprentices at the company who want to finish and qualify as aviation technicians; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16397/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Since the company announced its plans to close its Dublin operations, IDA Ireland and I have had numerous meetings with the company to express my concern regarding the effect the closure will have on the economy of North Dublin and the effect of the loss of 1135 highly skilled jobs on the Irish aviation sector.

IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland established a team to market the operation internationally through their overseas office network and have held discussions with over 15 companies to encourage them to put forward investment proposals to take over all or part of the operation. Following receipt of proposals, a full evaluation will take place and each proposal will be considered on its merits and long-term viability.

The company has indicated that it has received up to 30 expressions of interest in parts of the operation and has stated that any approach or proposal would be considered in detail and evaluated in full on its merits and potential long term benefit.

At this stage, SR Technics has received 5 bids from interested parties for parts of the business and are currently assessing these bids. Following the assessment process, SR Technics will select a successful bidder. In tandem with this process the agencies are in discussions with the interested parties on an ongoing basis to assess the viability of the bids so as to be in a position to offer appropriate support to the successful bidders to maximize the level of sustainable employment in the resulting operations.

As regards apprentices, FÁS is currently engaging with other stakeholders in the Air Craft Maintenance Sector (Public and Private) in an effort to source on-the-job training for this group of Air Craft Mechanics.