asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he is aware of the concern in Kenmare, Co. Kerry, regarding allegations on the future of, and substantial job losses in Kenmare Products Ltd; the present position regarding the future of this industry; if he will arrange for the rescue division of the IDA to investigate the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Private Notice Question. - Kenmare (Kerry) Industry.
I am not aware of the concerns mentioned by the Deputy but I am arranging with the Industrial Development Authority to investigate the position as a matter of urgency to make every effort to maintain employment in the firm.
Is the Minister aware that 55 full-time employees in the industry and 70 home workers are concerned because it is obvious to them that the industry is being run down? It appears to them that at least three or four other companies are operating within Kenmare Products and the profit from them is going abroad to the parent company.
Up to now my Department have not been aware of any difficulties being experienced by the company. Indeed, the Department of Labour, who have been contacted about this matter, have indicated that they have not had any notification of redundancies or protective notices being issued up to today. The Deputy may have been misinformed but, nevertheless, the IDA will make contact with the firm concerned.
I am sure the Minister will accept that the facts I will outline could give rise to concern among employees and I am surprised that those facts are not available to the Minister. Is the Minister aware that two modern machines which were supplied some time ago to the company in Kenmare, a shade netting machine and a bag making machine, were removed to Germany and used by a firm in that country in direct competition with the Kenmare concern? The machines were the most modern of their kind in the world.
I am aware that some equipment was taken from the firm to Germany for repair and maintenance. The facts are not as indicated by the Deputy. The Department of Labour have not been contacted in regard to any possibility of redundancies in the company.
Local employees feel that the Department and the IDA should know when an industry is in difficulty before proposed redundancies are notified to the Department of Labour. The Minister stated that two machines were removed to Germany some months ago for maintenance and repair but they are operating most efficiently and satisfactorily in Germany and are in direct competition with the Kenmare industry. As a result the business in Kenmare for which the machines were bought originally is being ruined. Is the Minister in a position to say if the machines were grant-aided by the IDA when purchased by Kenmare Products?
The company has not notified the Department that it is in difficulty but as the Deputy has raised the possibility I will have the matter examined without delay.