John Ellis
Question:220 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, the Government has regarding the creation of jobs in County Leitrim. [5844/97]
Written Answers. - Job Creation.
Leitrim is faring very well in terms of recent and proposed new job creation. On 24 February I announced that two new investments by overseas companies, with the support of IDA Ireland, will create 100 new jobs in County Leitrim. Investments will be made by: Westmark of Germany, a manufacturer of mechanical kitchen aids, which will create 88 new jobs in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim; and Lilly Industries of the US which will establish an industrial coatings facility and create 12 new jobs in Ballinamore, County Leitrim.
County Leitrim continues to be marketed for inward investment and IDA Ireland is in active discussion with a number of companies with a view to creating additional jobs in the county. Forbairt client companies in County Leitrim recorded an increase of some 37 net additional jobs last year.
Over the past decade one of the most positive developments in the overseas natural resources sector, for which Forbairt is responsible, in the north-west region has been the establishment of a major facility by Masonite Ireland to manufacture moulded door skins at Annaduff, County Leitrim. Excellent progress has been made on the construction of the Masonite facility and the company plans to commence pilot production later this month. It is planned to start production of door skins on the first production line in June with the second production line due to be in production by early 1998.
Over the past six months the company has recruited in excess of 100 employees who have undergone training in the US and in Ireland. Total employment now stands at 156 people and it is likely to rise to its target of 330 by early 1998.
Lilly Industries is a major supplier of building products coatings to Masonite in the US. Its County Leitrim plant is a direct response to a request from Masonite to establish an operation close to its new Irish facility for the supply of white paper and a clear coat product.