Seán Ryan
Question:89 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her proposals for job creation initiatives for the north County Dublin area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28635/01]
Written Answers. - Job Creation.
The recent closures and job losses in north County Dublin are disappointing and I am aware that it is a distressing and disruptive time for the people who are being made redundant. Recognising that north Dublin is going through a difficult period in terms of job losses, I recently announced the establishment of the north Dublin training and job placement initiative. This initiative will bring together FÁS, the local area partnership, local authority, the county enterprise board and Enterprise Ireland to ensure that people losing their jobs are fully appraised of employment, training and business opportunities.
However, in spite of a slowdown in inward investment activity, particularly in the ICT sector since early this year, and the further impact of the tragic events of 11 September, the prognosis for the future is healthier than circumstances might suggest. For example, IDA Ireland's pipeline of projects under discussion includes a significant number of new foreign direct investment projects or expansions from clients already located here. Also, although Gateway announced its intention to close its Dublin operation in August with a loss of 900 jobs, the company was immediately contacted by approximately 160 employers, interested in hiring Gateway staff. I understand that the current situation is that the majority of the former employees have now been offered alternative employment.
Among IDA pipeline projects are, the construction of Bristol Myers Squib facility in Blanchardstown where 430 new jobs are to be created; a $300 million expansion by Lucent at Blanchardstown industrial estate bringing total employment up to 800 people; and an expansion by Sonopress of its reservation facility at Dublin airport bringing its workforce of 1,100 together in one location. IDA Ireland is also involved in industrial property support activities in Dublin, such as initiation of planning on a 120 acre greenfield site at Belcamp adjacent to Clonshaugh industrial estate, extensive site development works at the national digital park, Citywest, and site development works on the South County business park in Leopardstown.
Indigenous industry is a major provider of local employment opportunities both direct and indirect. Enterprise Ireland is actively working to ameliorate the effects on local communities of downsizing and company closures by identifying new opportunities for enterprise development and working with new promoters to build viable projects. In addition to providing grant support to companies in Dublin north city and county, Enterprise Ireland has grant aided community enterprise centres in north Dublin at Balbriggan, Darndale, Coolock, Blanchardstown and North King Street.
At micro-enterprise level, the Fingal County Enterprise Board, which is responsible for local development in north County Dublin, has put in place specific information programmes targeted at the employees of companies who have recently announced redundancies. In common with the other 34 city and county enterprise boards which cover the entire country, Fingal gives assistance for feasibility studies, employment and capital expenditure to enterprises employing ten people or less, as well as actively promoting entrepreneurship through education and training programmes. Enterprise Ireland is a member of the Fingal County Enterprise Board and the Fingal County Enterprise Board evaluation committee. Both IDA and Enterprise Ireland are members of the Fingal County Development Board, which is preparing a draft strategic plan for the Fingal area.