Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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391. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to source an alternative employer for the MBNA staff in Carrick-on-Shannon who are due to lose their jobs before Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33543/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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A series of actions has and continue to be implemented by local and national agencies to source an alternative employer and find alternative employment for those impacted by the MBNA announcement.

An inter-agency group, led by Enterprise Ireland, has been formed and its membership includes representatives of all the relevant State players. This Group will provide a coordinated approach to the needs of the affected staff and ensure that all necessary steps are put in train to pursue an alternative investor.

A series of additional developments have also taken place:

-Details of the staff skills and the capabilities of the facility have been collated,

-IDA, along with MBNA/Bank of America has produced a marketing pack for potential investors.

-The global IDA team continues to market the MBNA facility to a range of potential investors through its network.

-Enterprise Ireland is marketing the facility to its client base.

-There have been a small number of preliminary enquiries about the facility, both from foreign owned and Irish owned businesses but it is too early in the process to be specific about their potential.

The work of the inter-agency group will continue and IDA and Enterprise Ireland will work to market the MBNA facility to a range of potential investors and to respond to requests for information from potential interested parties.