Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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600. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she has met with officials from the IDA and EI regarding the recent job losses at a factory (details supplied) and the impending job losses at a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31996/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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In line with Government Policy on Tobacco, Enterprise Ireland is not in a position to support companies in this sector. In this regard, the tobacco company concerned is not a current client of Enterprise Ireland and therefore I have not met with Enterprise Ireland officials concerning job losses at this company.

In respect of the impending job losses referred to, my Department is in constant touch with IDA Ireland regarding the situation there. That Agency has had extensive engagement with local management of the company and, earlier this month, has also met senior executives at the parent company in the USA, to discuss their Irish operation and to encourage a continued commitment to Ireland. IDA Ireland will also continue its ongoing efforts to secure new investment for the region.

With the advent of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs process, the intention is to put in place a proactive process for job creation, rather than to be reactive. In this context, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, together with the Longford and Westmeath Local Enterprise Offices, will continue to work closely with each other, with other agencies and with local interests, to support an integrated approach to job creation in County Westmeath and County Longford and the wider Midlands Region, in line with the Midlands Action Plan for Jobs.