Written answers

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation

Job Protection

8:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress made to date on protecting employment at a company (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36059/11]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Covidien, which has been operating in Athlone for 30 years, is undertaking a transformation of its operations to improve efficiency and future proof its facility. As part of this, one of its basic products, a low value respiratory line will transfer, over the next two years to Thailand, and the company will be offering a voluntary redundancy programme. It is too early for the company to state how many job numbers will be impacted as they are looking at bringing in new products and technologies to the site which will affect the final number.

Investment in technologies and facilities are currently and will continue to be made by the company to improve efficiency and the longer term viability of Covidien's Athlone facility. The company remains very committed to maintaining a significant presence in Athlone and across their six Irish sites. Athlone is the global centre of excellence for Covidien's airways R&D business and will continue to be an important site for Covidien. Only last week, the company announced an investment of some €25M in a number of R&D projects to be undertaken in Ireland, including at its Athlone facility. These projects are being supported by the Government through IDA.

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