Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his views on the consequences of job losses at a company (details supplied) in the Border region in terms of education and re-training opportunities and employment prospects; if unemployment, education and training services will be capable of dealing with an upsurge in unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19062/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for education and training services rests with the Department of Education and Skills. In response to the announcement of redundancies in the company, I established an inter-agency team comprising Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, the relevant County Enterprise Boards, FÁS, the Department of Social Protection together with my own Departmental officials.

The primary focus of the Inter Agency team will be to support the affected employees, to explore their options regarding employment, self employment through setting up a new business, skills development and to outline the supports available to them. Dedicated information centres staffed by the agencies are being established on site in Cavan, Navan and Blanchardstown to support the affected workers. Staff briefing sessions will also be held in these centres together with a series of business start-up workshops for those thinking of starting a business. Enterprise Ireland is in ongoing communication with the company concerned regarding the most appropriate and practical support measures that can be provided by the agencies concerned, while also ensuring continuation of normal business at the locations affected.

Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland will also assist in marketing the skills and capabilities of staff to potential investors in Ireland and overseas in the drive to replace jobs as soon as possible. The County and City Enterprise Boards in the Meath, Cavan and Fingal areas are working together to provide an appropriate co-ordinated response to the announcement of the job losses. The Boards will endeavour to provide every support possible for those directly affected who wish to establish a business or to explore the possibilities of self-employment. I consider that the inter-agency team is best placed to coordinate the activities of the relevant Government Departments, state development agencies and the County Enterprise Boards, to ensure support for employment opportunities in the region affected.