Vol. 536 No. 2
149 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of job losses at Ferbane power station; the proposed programme for job replacement for the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13902/01]
The closure of the ESB power station at Ferbane is not a matter for which I, as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, have responsibility.
With regard to the creation of jobs in the area, the industrial development agencies under the aegis of my Department are continuing to promote County Offaly and the midlands as locations for mobile investment and indigenous industrial development.
Shannon Development, which has responsibility for developing indigenous industry in south Offaly, has reported an increase of 5% in employment in the area in 2000. In Ferbane, Shannon Development is co-funding a development plan in conjunction with the local community and Offaly County Council. This steering group has met on a number of occasions and a consultant has been appointed. Work has commenced. Shannon Development is represented on the steering group by its regional development executive in Birr.
Shannon Development has also recently grant assisted a local start-up company, Glass Innovations Limited, in respect of a new production facility to provide specialist finishes for the glass industry. It is expected that the plant will soon be operational and will employ 11 people at full production. Shannon Development is also negotiating the sale of a site in Ferbane to a local small business which will construct a new facility as part of an expansion proposal.
