Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the assistance she will provide to a company (details supplied) in County Tipperary to ensure the continuation of employment for the workforce there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28303/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Eltex of Sweden AB was a private family owned company established in Sweden in 1964, manufacturing electronic yarn control equipment for textile machines. Over the years the company added many products to its portfolio to include temperature control systems.

The Irish operation was established in Templemore, County. Tipperary in 1976 to manufacture stop control systems for textile looms. This detects yarn breakage and switches off the machine. There are currently 24 people employed in Ireland.

In June 2007, Eltex was taken over by three former employees and renamed Eltex Global Holdings Limited. This company is registered and headquartered in Ireland. Each owner holds one third of the company. There are three operations in this group, in Sweden, Ireland and the US.

Due to the downturn in the sector, the Irish operation is working on a two day week. The operation in the US has been reduced to two people and the Swedish operation (its R & D centre) has been reduced to 12 people. There are now 38 people employed in the group, down from 50 people in June 2008.

In June 2008, the IDA approved a feasibility grant for the company, to develop a computerised test system to manage its yarn sensors and improve and streamline the testing processes. This project has been put on hold by the company due to the downturn in the industry.