Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in October 2025 Merck announced the proposed closure of its facility in Arklow, Co Wicklow by the end of 2028. The decision followed a strategic portfolio product review, considering factors such as market dynamics, and customer needs. Staff were made aware of the company’s decision on Wednesday 22nd October 2025, and a consultation period began.

IDA Ireland has established internal processes for dealing with potential and actual job loss situation with its client companies. This involves proactive engagement with site leadership of the company and its parent company to explore options to avoid and/or minimise any job losses. In this regard, IDA Ireland is engaged with the company - both at a site level in Arklow and at their German HQ - in order to achieve the best outcome for the site and the IDA are exploring all options with the company.

IDA Ireland is also fully respectful of the consultation process that should be underway by any company and its employees/employee representatives following any announcement or proposed announcements.

In the event of any announced or pending job losses, such as at Merck in Arklow, IDA partners with other support agencies at a local level to implement the Job Loss Protocol. This provides a coordinated response by relevant Government Departments and agencies at a local level to support impacted employees. This work may not formally commence until after the staff consultation period has been concluded and the types of supports that may be provided include:

• Provision of a detailed skills profile for the site; a talent catchment map and timings for when individuals will be available, provided by the company.
• Identification of other employers who may be hiring across IDA and EI client companies.
• Sharing of skills profiles with other companies who may be hiring and direct engagement with HR departments, when appropriate through IDA and EI.
• Briefings by local Department of Social Protection/Intreo officials to impacted employees on social welfare and employment support services to support impacted employees’ transition to new employment opportunities.
• Identification of training and further education opportunities for employees (ETBs; Skillnet; Universities)
• Exploring opportunities to start your own business through LEOs and Enterprise Ireland.

I should also note that the Protection of Employment Act 1977 imposes certain legal obligations on employers proposing collective redundancies including-

• The requirement for a 30-day consultation period with employees and their representatives.
• Employers must notify the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment of the proposals at least 30 days before the first dismissal takes effect.
• Employers may not issue notices of redundancy during this period.

By law, it is also the responsibility of the employer in the first instance to pay statutory redundancy payments to eligible employees. In situations where an employer cannot pay statutory redundancy due to financial difficulties, the State provides a safety net and may pay statutory redundancy to eligible employees from the Social Insurance Fund.

Employees have the right to refer complaints to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on a wide range of employment law breaches for an adjudication and redress, including the right to refer a complaint should an employer fail to consult or provide certain information to employees in collective redundancy situations. The Customer Service area of the WRC can provide further information in relation to employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations.

In terms of the IDA response, I should emphasise that Regional development is at the centre of IDA’s strategy. IDA is committed to the pursuit of more balanced, compact regional development which can deliver complementary efficiency and equity gains, with the overall impact of helping to advance national development. IDA Ireland utilises a range of strategies to maximise dispersal of FDI nationally, albeit individual companies ultimately take decisions on where to locate investments . IDA’s Regional focus leverages the wider demographic catchment of a region, the track record of existing client companies already located in the region, the availability of property and developed infrastructure assets and the presence of third level universities to provide a skilled talent pipeline for companies investing in the region. IDA’s Regional Development strategy is aligned with Government policy, including Ireland 2040 and the National Planning Framework (NPF).

A key aspect of the strategy is focused on maximising balanced regional development, with a target of securing 550 investments from a total of 1,000 between 2025-2029 - 55% - into regional locations. This ambitious target reflects IDA Ireland’s ongoing commitment to supporting transformation and growth across all regions. In 2025, 183 (57%) of the 323 investments secured by the IDA were in regional locations outside of Dublin. This is in line with IDA Ireland’s strategic objective to maximise regional growth.

The Mid-East Region comprises counties Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow. There are 126 IDA client companies in the Mid-East Region, employing 20,284 people. The FDI performance in the region has been positive over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 5%. The Mid-East has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies. It has also won significant investment in the Food and the Film sub-sectors. County Wicklow is home to 23 IDA client companies, employing 2,827 people directly.

As already indicated, the IDA will work with Merck to endeavour to secure a successor investment for Arklow.