Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 177: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the initiatives she and the Department of Transport are taking to secure a successor aviation maintenance business at a company plant (details supplied) in Dublin Airport in relation to the development of the Dublin Aerospace proposal; if other measures are being taken to increase employment in the aviation maintenance and engineering sector; her views on the lessons for Irish aviation strategic policy for her Department in the relocation of services to Malta; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45880/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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On September 2nd 2009, I announced the establishment of Dublin Aerospace Ltd, a new aviation maintenance provider supported by Government through Enterprise Ireland. Dublin Aerospace aims to establish a best-in-class Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Dublin Airport, servicing APUs, Landing Gear, Base Maintenance and Training. The company has commenced operations with 70 initial employees recruited. This number is anticipated to grow to 226 jobs.

The Garage business unit of SR Technics has been taken over by the M50 Truck and Van Centre who were successful in securing the airside vehicle maintenance contract from SR Technics. Aer Lingus have decided to undertake line maintenance operations previously contracted to SRT. A number of employees will transfer from SRT to the new line maintenance operation at Aer Lingus.

The Government, through IDA Ireland, are committed to continued marketing of Ireland as a location for companies interested in establishing aircraft maintenance and aviation engineering businesses. State agencies such as FÁS and Enterprise Ireland have made, and continue to make, the full range of their employment, training, guidance and advisory services available to workers made redundant at SR Technics.

While the decision of SR Technics to move operations from Ireland is regrettable, the relocation of companies, and with them jobs, is a reality of the modern global economic environment for a highly developed economy such as Ireland. This shift in the structure of international trade poses challenges to economic policy makers in all developed countries, not just Ireland. It must be remembered that Ireland also experiences the benefits resulting from globalisation as new markets and business opportunities open up for Irish companies.

Last October, my Department submitted a provisional application to the European Commission for co-financing support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) towards the cost of a personalized package of training, educational and entrepreneurial services to workers made redundant at SR Technics. The Commission has sought additional information in relation to the application which my Department is currently preparing.