Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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157. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation whether IDA Ireland and the Government have sourced any alternative employer that is interested in creating alternative employment for those impacted by the MBNA downgrading; and whether the marketing pack produced by the IDA Ireland and MBNA management brought interest from any new potential investors, Irish or foreign-based, in the facility (details supplied). [5329/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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A series of actions are being implemented by local and national bodies to source an alternative employer and find alternative employment for those impacted by the MBNA redundancies, which unfortunately took effect on November 28th last. An inter-agency group, led by Enterprise Ireland, has been formed and its membership includes representatives of all the relevant State players. This Group has met on a monthly basis and is providing a coordinated approach to the needs of the affected staff and ensuring that all necessary steps are put in train to pursue an alternative employer.

The IDA, through its global network, continues to market the former MBNA facility to a range of potential investors and Enterprise Ireland is also marketing it to its client base. The availability of a skilled pool of the former MBNA employees is being highlighted.

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.

With regard to Regional Development, under the 2015 Action Plan for Jobs which I launched recently, it is intended to develop and publish a suite of Regional Enterprise Strategies, based on consultation with key stakeholders at regional level and on the analysis of the strengths of each region. The process will commence with the publication of strategies for the Midlands and South East regions. Similar strategies for the other regions will be commenced over the course of the year, on a phased basis All will include specific actions for all the enterprise development organisations and other public bodies active in each region, to promote enterprise growth and job creation. Of course specific issues and factors relevant to particular regions, such as the MBNA closure, will be fully embraced in the new Strategies.