asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the reason for the proposed 75 per cent reduction of the work force at Lanaknit, Shannon which will result in a loss of 300 jobs and the steps, if any, proposed or taken to safeguard the employment of the existing work force.
Written Answers. - Work Force at Lanaknit.
243.
About two-thirds of the total production of the Lanaknit factory normally went to its parent company in the USA. I am informed that for some time past the parent company has not been in a position to take any fabric from the unit at Shannon, and this has resulted in a drastic decline in production and continuing serious losses in that unit. The parent company has now decided that it has no option but to implement redundancies in the unit.
Over a period of months my Department and the State agencies concerned have made strenuous efforts to find a solution, either by developing alternative markets for the company or by promoting an association with other interests. These efforts have so far been unsuccessful; all possibilities will continue to be pursued intensively.