Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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142. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will request assurances from Intel that there will be no significant job losses here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8508/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 142 together.

Since this company was attracted to locate Ireland in 1989, it has made a very positive contribution to the Irish economy. Not only does it provide several thousand high quality jobs but its presence here has helped in the development of the domestic ICT sector and has assisted our ability to attract other leading electronics multinationals. Intel has also undertaken valuable high-level research and development work in Ireland and generated significant downstream economic activity.

As was publicly announced earlier this month, the company are now engaging in a strategic review of its worldwide activities. This will reportedly involve restructuring of its operations and a sizeable reduction in the size of its global workforce by mid-2017. I understand that the company has not yet decided where the job losses will arise so it is not possible to say at this stage how this decision will impact on their Irish operations.

I meet regularly with, and my office are in ongoing contact with, the company in question but I have asked IDA Ireland to maintain its ongoing contact with Intel with regards to their restructuring plans. We will also continue, at the same time, to work to attract further investment from the company into Ireland.