Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific concerns that were voiced at his recent meeting with the Communications Workers' Union; the specific actions that he will commit to undertake to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20398/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I met with representatives of the Communications Workers' Union on 4th July regarding the Union's concerns around the recent announcement by Vodafone to offshore 139 jobs from its Irish call centres. I understand that Vodafone Ireland, which is not an IDA or EI client, has announced this as a part of a review of its European operations and which will also impact on its operations in other EU Member States. I am advised, as part of this process, that the company has been in discussions with unions and its Irish Call Centre contract partner, Rigney Dolphin. I am aware that Vodafone has decided that a portion of the existing contracted call centre operations in Dundalk and Dublin will be moved to other locations - Egypt and India - within the Vodafone Group and to other specialist contractors in Ireland.

This decision will impact 45 Vodafone roles and 139 in Rigney Dolphin – the 139 staff are employed by Rigney Dolphin but are in-sourced to Vodafone and are based at its sites in Dublin and Dundalk. I have been assured that Rigney Dolphin will work through the implications of the redundancies with their employees.

I also understand that all impacted Vodafone employees will be offered the opportunity to transfer to alternative roles within Vodafone Ireland, and voluntary redundancy packages will be offered. A consultation process is now underway with all Vodafone employees affected by the decision to finalise the alternatives available. The changes to Vodafone Call Centre operations will take place in late 2011 and early 2012. My officials and Minister of State Sean Sherlock recently met with Vodafone. The company explained that in the current market environment, cost efficiencies are a prerequisite so as to ensure their continued ability to compete in the Irish market where they employ over 1,000 people.

While Vodafone is not an IDA Ireland client, I understand from IDA Ireland that it has an ongoing relationship with Vodafone Ireland with a view to identifying potential corporate opportunities to expand the Irish operation, and that IDA Ireland's London office is fostering relationships with Vodafone at a corporate level. In support of these efforts to attract new employment opportunities from Vodafone, I am myself meeting with the Vodafone Group CEO next week.