Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts he has made to secure the employment of the existing work force at a factory (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1392/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts made by the State's industrial development agencies to support the retention of employment at a factory (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1393/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if all the State's labour relations agencies are assisting in the resolution of a dispute at a factory (details supplied) in view of the need to secure existing employment at this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1394/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 to 322, inclusive, together.

Workers at the Lagan Brick factory, Kingscourt, Co Cavan have been involved in a protest outside the company's premises following a decision by the company to close the operation on 15 December last with the loss of up to 30 jobs. I understand from IDA Ireland that, according to the company, its operation in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan (Kingscourt Brick Ltd.) had become unviable due to the continuing downturn in the construction sector and subsequent lack of demand for its products. The company stated that it tried every avenue possible over the course of the last number of months to retain the viability of the business before its decision to close.

I understand that the workers have taken issue with the manner in which the job losses were announced, claiming the company has contravened the 30-day notice period contained in the Protection of Employment Acts. The union wants to retain maximum employment at the plant and secure satisfactory redundancy terms for any workers that lose their jobs.

Representatives of the company and the trade union SIPTU attended talks at the Labour Relations Commission yesterday (Tuesday, 10 January). I understand that the conciliation conference was adjourned to allow both parties to reflect on their positions and that they will reconvene at the LRC on Monday next 16 January.

The announcement by Lagan Bricks to close their facility in Kingscourt was disappointing and I am very conscious of the implications of job losses in Cavan and the North East Region. Globally the outlook for FDI continues to be challenging, but there are still investment opportunities in global markets and IDA will continue to compete vigorously for these projects for Ireland and will continue to promote the North East region in line with its strategy "Horizon 2020".