Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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348. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will engage with the workforce of a company (details supplied) to ensure the future viability of this important employer is secured into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31890/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Wellman International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Indorama Ventures PCL, one of the world’s leading petrochemical producers and a leading global manufacturer of wool yarns. The broader Indorama Group is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

As the Deputy will be aware, Wellman International Ltd, Mullagh, County Cavan produces polyester staple fibres, made primarily from recycled material, and the company entered the Examinership process on 3rd June 2025. Examinership is a court-overseen process whereby a company is placed under court protection for a period of time in order to allow for the potential rescue and return to financial health of a company which may be in severe financial difficulty, but which is potentially viable.

My foremost concern, and that of the Government, is for the potentially impacted employees and their families during this difficult and uncertain time. IDA regional team is partnering with local agencies, to support impacted employees. To this end, there is an established process of coordinated engagement by support agencies at a local level to provide supports to employees in consultation with the company. Government provides a range of supports to any employees facing job losses and the Intreo service of the Department of Social Protection can assist with income supports and relevant employment and training opportunities where needed. Our enterprise agencies will also assist where possible in helping those impacted to find alternative employment, and this support can include:

• Outplacement employment support services and potential training opportunities may be provided/facilitated by the company and/or other providers (ETBs/Skillnet, etc.) to support impacted employees.

• Provision of a detailed skills profile for the employees on the site, which with agreement can be shared with other potential site leaders that maybe recruiting. Wellman leadership have provided IDA with a full employee skills audit.

• IDA has agreed with the company and engaged with the examiner to help market the site and business across its global office network. Wellman has provided IDA with all necessary site details which can be shared with potential investors.

• IDA will provide introductions on a local level to the Department of Social Protection and Solas on social welfare services and employment support services to support impacted employees’ transition to new employment opportunities.

• IDA has engaged with its sister agency Enterprise Ireland and will connect with all relevant agencies on a regional basis to promote the site’s wider marketing.

While being very careful not to comment on the Examinership itself, as this is before our Courts, I can confirm IDA Ireland have been engaging continuously with the company for some time and working to provide all necessary supports. IDA has worked closely with the Irish leadership team to help improve the company’s competitive position before the company took its recent decision to follow the Examinership route.

IDA Ireland and all relevant local agencies will continue to support and assist the impacted employees, as and when appropriate.