Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has been in contact with a company (details supplied) in relation to their plans to centralise operations at St. James's Gate in Dublin with the loss of in the region of 100 jobs in Dundalk and Kilkenny; and the steps he has taken to preserve the jobs. [2781/12]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps that have been taken by him or his predecessor to preserve a plant (details supplied) in Dundalk since the centralisation of operations was first proposed in 2008. [2802/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 107 together.

The intention to close the existing breweries in Dundalk and Kilkenny in 2013 was announced by the company concerned in May 2008. At the time the company intended to expand part of St James's Gate and open a Greenfield facility in the greater Dublin area. In early 2009, the company announced they were reviewing their decision to establish the new brewery and last week they announced they intend to invest further in St James's Gate and continue plans to close Kilkenny and Dundalk.

While the decision on plant closure is a matter for the company, Enterprise Ireland has been and is actively engaging with the company on an ongoing basis in seeking investments to protect and grow jobs in Ireland. A number of investments in R&D programmes in the company's operations have been secured in recent years including programmes for which Enterprise Ireland approved grant support in August 2010 and in June 2008.

In April, July and December 2011, Enterprise Ireland met with the company to discuss the developments in St James's Gate and plans for Kilkenny and Dundalk. In October 2011 at the request of the company, the agency made a presentation to the staff of the Dundalk brewery on the future skills needs of manufacturing sector in Ireland and on the outlook for the manufacturing sector in Ireland.

While the company's announcement of a major new investment in St James's Gate that secures its future in Ireland is to be welcomed, I was disappointed to hear about the confirmation of the 2008 decision of the closures in Dundalk and Kilkenny. I am conscious of the anxiety that the proposed closures will create for the workers involved and their families as well as the local communities. Nevertheless, the announcement by the company that it is to invest in St. James's Gate is a huge vote of confidence in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland is continuing to work proactively with the company to ensure that the maximum number of jobs are retained in Ireland.