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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 5

Written Answers. - Job Losses.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

167 Mr. O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will direct her Department and State agencies to seek replacement jobs for the 121 jobs lost at a company (details supplied) in Dublin 24; if her attention has been drawn to the concern of the Tallaght community in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14518/03]

The company in question advised me on 20 May last, that, following an extensive review, it was announcing plans for the restructuring of its European operations and that this would result in the loss of 121 jobs in its Dublin factory. The company also advised me that there would be full consultation with its employees in relation to the implementation of the restructuring plans.

I will ensure that the full services of all the industrial development agencies are made available to assist in whatever ways they can. Arrangements were made by Enterprise Ireland and FÁS to contact the company immediately following the announcement. South Dublin County Enterprise Board has also indicated that it would be prepared to assist in whatever way possible. The agencies are offering a wide range of services to the workforce in the area of career counselling, re-skilling and assistance in identifying enterprise and job opportunities as I outlined in more detail in my response to the Adjournment debate on 21 May.

In so far as replacement jobs are concerned, the agencies are continuing to address the employment needs of Tallaght and south County Dublin and promote the area for suitable investment projects. IDA Ireland, the agency with statutory responsibility for attracting foreign direct investment, continues to work with companies in the Tallaght area to secure further projects, which will benefit the area. The development of the digital park at City West, the installation of the global crossing cable, and the four data centres located at the park, will serve the Internet infrastructure needs of existing and new businesses.
A number of companies in the electronics, internationally traded services and software sectors such as AOL, GE Interlogix, UPS, and SAP have established operations in the Tallaght-City West area and will continue to grow in line with projections. In recent months, Google, a world-renowned high tech company decided to locate in the area and this decision positions Ireland as a prime location for global Internet services. Enterprise Ireland offers a range of supports to companies in south Dublin to enable them to retain existing jobs or create new ones and in this regard the agency is working closely with 316 grant assisted projects in south County Dublin.
As part of the community enterprise centre programme, which encourages local enterprise, the agency provided grant assistance to the four community enterprise centres in Tallaght, that is, Main Road, Bolbrook, Brookfield and Killinarden. The agency also works closely with the South Dublin Chambers of Commerce, which have purchased the EI enterprise centre in Whitestown and have approved funding of €2.54 million towards a new campus innovation centre at the institute of technology in Tallaght. In addition, some of the largest higher value added companies in the country are located in the environs of Tallaght. During 2002, Enterprise Ireland provided financial support to 61 projects in south County Dublin at a cost of €2.67 million.
At the micro-enterprise level, the South Dublin County Enterprise Board has, since its inception, supported projects in the Tallaght area with grants amounting to €2.5 million. It has assisted in the creation of 560 jobs in the area and provided a comprehensive range of supports and training. The board will continue to assist other groups, including the Tallaght community group, PARTAS, in its enterprise training programmes for the unemployed.
Despite the setback caused by this closure, and I fully acknowledge the seriousness of the situation for the workers concerned and their families, the overall prospects for Tallaght are very good and with the completion of the Luas project in 2004, it is set to continue to be a key area in the development of greater Dublin.
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