Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 1

Written Answers. - Job Losses.

Michael Bell

Question:

75 Mr. Bell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of closures, planned closures or reductions in employment numbers notified to her Department since 1 November 1999 and the actual or anticipated level of job losses involved; the steps, if any, she is taking to secure replacement industries for cases in Ardee, County Louth and in Longford (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3496/00]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

In the three-month period from 1 November 1999 to 31 January 2000, a total of 3,268 proposed redundancies were notified to my Department under the Redundancy Payment Acts, 1967 to 1991. Notifications in that period included eight closures involving the loss of about 800 jobs.

In responding to closures, the State development agencies under the aegis of my Department work closely with local interests to attract replacement projects, assist in the expansion of existing industry, identify alternative job opportunities and provide re-training, where appropriate, for workers affected.

Apart from ongoing efforts to find a replacement project for the Hawkesbay facility, IDA is also actively pursuing a greenfield project for Ardee and discussions with the promoter are continuing.

As regards the impending closure of the Barbour Threads plant in Longford, I would point out that Longford continues to be a focus of high priority by the development agencies. In this context , the Longford inter agency group, which I established following the closure of Atlantic Mills, is actively promoting the county as a base for new and expanding industry. There has been a large number of visits by potential investors to Longford resulting in a number of new projects including Century Homes, timber-framed housing, and Lacemont, a food project, which have a combined job potential of 220 jobs. The Government is committed to ensuring a policy of more balanced job creation on a regional basis and resources are being deployed for this purpose by the development agencies, local authorities and other interests.