Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 4

Written Answers. - Job Losses.

Michael Bell

Question:

75 Mr. Bell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of redundancies or job losses notified to her Department during 2000 and to date; the steps which are being taken to secure alternative employment by those areas hit by the number of announcements of major job losses over recent months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7097/01]

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

Proposed redundancies of 13,271 were notified to my Department in the year 2000 under the Redundancy Payment Acts, 1967 to 1991. A further 2,405 proposed redundancies were notified in the first two months of this year.

The State development agencies, under the aegis of my Department, are working closely with local development bodies and other interests to secure alternative employment for the areas affected by major job losses in recent months. The agencies are focusing on the attraction of replacement projects and are encouraging the development and expansion of existing large and small scale industry. Retraining, where appropriate, is being provided to enhance employment prospects for the workers affected and every effort is being made to assist them to secure employment.

The Government is committed to more balanced job creation on a regional basis and resources are being deployed for this purpose by the development agencies.

Question No. 76 answered with Question No. 49.