Vol. 476 No. 7
366 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concern in County Cavan at the announcement by three major employers (details supplied) of in the region of 160 redundancies; the proposals, if any, he has to offset such a severe loss of employment in the east Cavan area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8181/97]
I share the Deputy's concern about proposed job changes in the companies to which he refers. I have been informed that redundancies where applicable are intended to be made on a voluntary basis in the companies concerned, a significant proportion to be made on a phased basis over the next two years. I am further advised that one of the companies mentioned is in fact undertaking an expansion of its activities leading to an increase in employment of almost 100 over the next three years. The company has plants at a number of locations in Cavan and throughout the country. I have been advised by Forbairt that the recently announced expansion will involve the transfer of a number of jobs from the company's plant at Shercock to a new plant in County Meath.
I think that we must accept that the normal cycle of business inevitably means changes in company fortunes over time. Commercial companies are not immune to the pressures of open market competition and a certain level of negative as well as positive change is to be expected in the numbers employed in individual companies as they react and adjust to these pressures.
As regards the broader context, a recent positive development in Cavan has been the announcement of an additional 129 jobs in Pauwels Trafo in the town. In addition, negotiations have concluded between Cavan County Council and IDA Ireland to acquire a site in Cavan town on which a privately financed advance factory will be constructed.
