Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

117. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions she has taken to protect jobs at a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10825/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed with the announced redundancies at the company. At a time when the country as a whole is moving towards full employment, that does not make it any easier for any person who finds themselves in such a difficult situation. It also underlines that though the economy overall is performing well, there are challenges out there that require every company to make sure it is competitive and is capable of satisfying the needs of their customers.

According to the company, the objective of the announcement is to improve the overall competitiveness of the site and to future proof it so that it can continue to operate effectively.

The company envisages that post this process, the site will be better prepared to continue to supply and sustain their commercial opportunities in the market place where they currently have a strong position. The formal consultation process began a month ago and is ongoing. The company envisages that the redundancies will be achieved on a voluntary basis.

I would strongly urge the parties to continue their extensive engagement locally with a view to reaching a resolution to the satisfaction of both employees and the company.

I will certainly work with my colleague, Minister for Employment and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, to ensure that redundant workers are given the support they need to find alternative employment. I would hope that alternative employment can be found quickly in the region. My own objective, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and as a local representative, is to ensure that new job opportunities are created in the local area.

The national economic picture is strong and in fact the numbers on the live register in Monaghan are down by 15% in the last year alone.

The North-East/North-West Regional Action Plan for Jobs is the key policy response for supporting employment growth in the region.  The core objective of the Plan is to have a further 28,000 at work in the region by 2020. Importantly, the Plan has been embraced by public and private sector bodies in the region and over 90% of the Plan’s actions are on track to be delivered. In terms of impact, more than 12,000 more people are in employment in the Border region since the Plan commenced.

Knowing the considerable challenges that companies in the region are facing, Enterprise Ireland continues to engage on a one-to-one basis with established client companies in County Monaghan. Since 2014, Enterprise Ireland has invested in the range of €18 million in client companies in Monaghan.

But I am very conscious that more needs to be done. I will be working, together with my Department and agencies to ensure there is an even greater focus on the border and in particular on counties like Monaghan and Cavan.

In December last year I announced an allocation of €30.5 million in funding to support enterprise capability in the regions, with 21 projects from all over the country receiving funding. Three projects from the Border region were successful:

a network of three Digital and Innovation Hubs (incl. in Co. Leitrim);

a new Digital Innovation Hub and enterprise capacity building program in Co. Donegal;

and a Regional Food Centre of Excellence in Co. Monaghan.

In order to pursue this policy of growing new and existing businesses across the regions, I look forward to launching a second call under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund in the coming weeks to allocate the balance of the €60m earmarked for this Scheme.