Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 45: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date by the mid west task force established following the announcement of major job losses at a company (details supplied) in County Limerick; if she has received the promised interim report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27436/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Mid-West Task Force, which I established under the Chairmanship of Mr Denis Brosnan, has now completed an interim Report. I am most grateful to Mr Brosnan and the other members of the Task Force for their commitment and work completed.

The report was presented to me by Mr Brosnan on the 2nd of July and is currently being considered by Government.

At the time Dell announced on eighth January last its intention to reduce its workforce by 1,900 at its plant in Limerick, I also established a group of the relevant State Agencies to prepare for a major job loss situation. Since then, FÁS has had in place a Mid West team to specifically deal with the needs of workers made redundant in Dell and other companies in the Region.

At the same time, IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development have been working diligently to secure new investments for the region. Over the last year companies like Vistakon, Zimmer, Intel, Cook, DTS and Microsemi have had announcements in the Mid West. Further agency-supported investments are currently under consideration and the agencies will continue to do everything possible to speed up such development in the region.