Vol. 549 No. 1
200 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of people employed in a factory (details supplied) in County Mayo; the number who are full-time workers; the number who are part-time workers; the employment figures of the company when it opened in October 2001; and the employment figures in 2002. [5985/02]
I understand the company referred to by the Deputy set up business in a factory owned by Údarás na Gaeltachta under a short-term lease and on a pilot basis in September 2001 without grant aid. Discussions on the development of the company and on a possible package of financial assistance for an ongoing business have continued since that time. The position is that approximately ten people were recruited initially by the company. Employment subsequently rose to 19 – 18 full-time and one part-time – staff by end 2001 and remained at this level until 8 February 2002. On that date the company temporarily laid off 13 staff due to large stocks of its product being on hand. I understand, however, that the company expects to re-employ this staff in about six weeks time.
