Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the efforts that have been made to assist the workers recently made redundant (details supplied) in County Donegal to find suitable alternative employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6238/11]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has instructed any Government Departments to target investment to a townland (details supplied) in County Donegal following recent job tosses in the area. [6239/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together.

In January 2011, the company in question, which is a client company of Údarás na Gaeltachta, announced its decision to cease the frozen production element of its operations in the district referred to by the Deputy, due, according to the company, to increases in the cost of raw materials, a decline in sales and increased competition. I understand that, following the company's decision, Údarás na Gaeltachta has worked with the company in an effort to maintain employment levels in the district. In this context, I understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that the assets owned by the company, with the exception of the frozen food line, have now been purchased by the company's former owner with a view to saving 67 jobs at the facility.

I also understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that it has facilitated a number of meetings between affected employees and relevant State agencies, such as FÁS and the Department of Social Protection, with a view to assisting them in any way possible.