Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the announcement of the loss of 119 jobs at a plant (details supplied) in County Cork; the discussions she has had with the industrial development agencies with a view to securing replacement jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41077/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that Harris Incorporated has advised its 70 permanent and 49 temporary employees that it intends closing its newly acquired operation (formerly Tyco Electronics) at Ballytrasna, Little Island, County Cork. The operation is to close in June 2010, with manufacturing to cease by March 2010. The primary reason for the closure is that Harris has surplus capacity at its Rochester New York facility.

I very much regret the company's decision to cease operations in Cork. The decision to close follows a review of operations by the company over the last few months. During that period IDA met with both local and corporate executives in the US, advocating the continued operation of the Cork unit, however ultimately the company decided to close the Cork facility.

The industrial development agencies, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, continue to work to secure new investments for the Cork area. IDA Ireland actively promotes the advantages of locating in Cork to overseas investors, which include a young skilled workforce, the presence of a University and Institute of Technology, and the availability of first class business parks, good infrastructure and an international airport.

There are currently 132 IDA supported enterprises in Cork City and County. Recent announcements of new investments in Cork include Big Fish Games (Mahon), Hovione (Ringaskiddy), Solarwinds (Mahon), Apex Fund Services (Midleton) and Marriott International (Blackpool). These projects will significantly add to the value and depth of the overseas industry in Cork. In addition to attracting new foreign direct investment, IDA continues to work closely with its existing clients in Cork to encourage the expansion of their operations. The success of this is demonstrated by the recent expansions of several companies in the county including McAfee, Blizzard, Gilead, Boston Scientific (R&D), Trend Micro, Alps Electric, Option Wireless, Alcon, Pfizer (pilot biologics facility), EMC (R&D), Siemens, dePuy (R&D), Arris and Alcon.

Despite the difficult global conditions which are impacting on international companies, Cork continues to demonstrate its attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment with over 850 new jobs having been announced in IDA supported client companies in Cork since the beginning of 2009.