Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 3

Written Answers. - Tallaght (Dublin) Task Force.

Chris Flood

Question:

249 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the progress, if any, made to date on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the interim report of the Tallaght task force established in the aftermath of the closure announcement by Packard Electric; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23114/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

The recommendations of the Tallaght task force, established by the Minister of State with responsibility for commerce, science and technology and approved by Government, are currently being implemented. These were wide ranging in content and included the attraction of replacement industry for the Packard factory, training, education and enterprise support for the former Packard workforce, the establishment of two enterprise centres and the provision of assistance for existing small and medium sized enterprises and local suppliers and sub-contractors in the Tallaght area. With regard to the Packard factory, the IDA and Forbairt are actively pursuing a replacement industry. Promotion of the factory has led to site visits by a number of major companies. However, no commitment to a replacement project has yet been negotiated and in the normal way there would customarily be a timelag between the premises becoming vacant and the securing of alternative industry.

Consultants undertook a survey of the skills of the workforce to ascertain career and other options which fitted the requirements of the people concerned. Arising from this process, participants were given access to the various local educational, training and job placement agencies, including FÁS, CERT, the vocational education committee, Tallaght regional technical college and Get Tallaght Working. A number of courses aimed specifically at former Packard workers have been organised and further courses are planned. These include computer, electronic and jobskilling courses together with the provision of additional places on the vocational training opportunities scheme. Workshops have also been organised for those interested in enterprise development. I would like to record my appreciation for the work of all the agencies concerned and the Tallaght regional technical college and particularly to the members of the task force.

With regard to the provision of enterprise centres, South Dublin County Council is presently in the process of developing it's own site at Brookfield in Tallaght. The projected completion date for this enterprise centre is summer 1977. The task force had identified the Supervalu property as an enterprise centre which was due for completion by end 1996. However, as you are aware the owners of the premises decided at a late stage not to proceed with the sale. In this regard the council is actively pursuing the identification of an alternative site for the development of a second enterprise centre in the Tallaght area. Finally a number of local small and medium sized enterprises with significant growth potential have been identified with a view to providing assistance to facilitate their development and expansion.