Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will report on the progress made to date by the Mid-West Regional Jobs Task Force in securing new employment prospects in the region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26941/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Following on the announcement by Dell to make 2,000 workers redundant, I established the Mid-West Task Force which was provided with the following terms of reference: · Assess the particular impact on the wider regional economy of the decision to close certain parts of the Dell plant in Limerick and associated companies · Carry out an analysis of the potential impact of the current economic downturn on the Mid-West Region · Carry out an in-depth review and analysis of the economy of the Mid-West Region · Identify the drivers and enablers of development and determine the competitiveness issues pertinent to the region · Explore alternative development scenarios and their potential to drive development in the region · Examine the role of the Limerick-Shannon Gateway in the development of the Mid West Region and how that can be enhanced · Develop proposals with a short, medium and long term perspective to ensure that current challenges are addressed and that future potential is realised · Recommend to Government a development plan for the Mid West Region. Today, 2 July, Mr Denis Brosnan, the Chairman of the Task Force, presented me with an interim report. The interim report is broad ranging in its considerations and it is my intention to bring the interim Report to Government very shortly. I am most grateful to Mr Brosnan and the other members of the Task Force for their commitment and work done to date.