Vol. 481 No. 7
112 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of task forces appointed by her to date regarding the provision of industrial jobs; the location and remit of each such task force; the action taken to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17134/97]
Since my appointment, three task forces have been established as a direct response to announced closure of major companies. These are as follows: Tralee Inter-Agency Group; Tullamore Inter-Agency Group; North Mayo Enterprise Initiative Group.
These groups were established to assist the workers involved with training and retraining opportunities; provide assistance to any workers wishing to establish their own enterprises, and attract alternative industry for the location involved and, additionally, in the case of the North Mayo Enterprise Initiative, to explore the options available to secure the future of the Asahi plants at Killala as synthetic fibre manufacturing undertakings.
All three groups have met on a regular basis since their formation and are progressing the issues outlined above.
Every effort is being made by the Industrial Development Agencies and the groups involved to find suitable alternative employment for the redundant workers.
Progress has been made in securing additional investment in some of these areas. In early October, I announced that Carrokeel Seafoods Limited was to expand its operations in Killala with an additional 85 jobs. Last week I announced a software and hardware testing facility for Ballina, which will provide 100 jobs.
The recently announced expansion of the Lowe Alpine Systems International facility at Tullamore, County Offaly will create an additional 30 jobs.
