Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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33. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action she and her Department have taken since the tobacco factory in Mullingar closed and the significant jobs losses in County Longford to try to attract replacement jobs to both locations. [6198/17]

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 Midlands 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, Longford 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.