Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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24. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the supports available to persons when a large-scale redundancy takes places, specifically those supports available to people in the midlands region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6100/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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In the past, in the case of major closures, the main recourse has been to ask the main Development Agencies - IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland - to redouble their efforts to secure new projects for the affected area, no matter where the location, and to explore all opportunities to replace the jobs being lost and thereby find a replacement industry for the area. In such circumstances, the global IDA team and Enterprise Ireland coordinate their work to seek a new occupier for the former factory, and to highlight the skills-base of the affected workforce. In the case of some recent significant job losses in regional centres, I have arranged that the key State players immediately come together to coordinate the State’s response to the closure. Such a group would usually include Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, DSP, Solas, Education and Training Board, Local Enterprise Office (LEO) and relevant Local Authority.

For individuals seeking to start their own business, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the first-stop-shop service in providing information to anyone seeking to develop a business idea. The LEOs can provide information and guidance on all the supports across the Government system. The LEOs are the first port of call in terms of advice, direction, training, and, in certain circumstances, grant support for anyone who wishes to start or expand a business, particularly following a company closure when affected employees are seeking an alternative source of employment. Contact details for the LEOs are available at .

A protocol agreement is in place between the enterprise development agencies and the Department of Social Protection (DSP) as part of the ‘Pathways to Work’initiative. This sets out a number of mechanisms designed to enhance co-operation between the agencies and DSP. This arrangement includes:

- Active marketing of DSP supports and incentives to client companies,

- Sharing information about project announcements,

- Organising specific events around the services and incentives available to hire unemployed people.

If relevant, the services of NERA, the State Employment Rights body, are at the disposal of the workers concerned if employment rights issues need to be pursued.

Finally, with regard to Regional Enterprise 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 strategies 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. I expect to launch the Strategy for the Midlands in the coming weeks.