Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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616. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made recently in relation to securing alternative industry for Mullingar in the context of the major loss of jobs at a company (details supplied) in Mullingar in recent months; if the IDA Ireland enterprise park at Marlinstown, Mullingar is being actively marketed in order to attract much needed and vital employment opportunities to Mullingar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2841/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I very much regret the decision by the company in question to close its facility in Mullingar. I understand the need to find new employment for the wider area and I have directed IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland (EI) to explore what potential opportunities there may be for new investment there.

IDA Ireland is already engaging with both current and prospective clients to invest further in Westmeath and the wider region. It is also actively marketing its business park at Marlinstown to all relevant potential investors.  EI, for its part, aims to create new jobs in the Midlands by providing support to entrepreneurs who may set up start-up companies there and by working with its existing established client companies in the region to assist in their future growth.