Vol. 573 No. 3
209 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will intervene with a company (details supplied) to ensure that there are no job losses here following its announcement to close 20% of its factories worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25502/03]
From the information available to me through Enterprise Ireland, I am optimistic that the global cost-cutting measures in the company to which the Deputy refers will not impact significantly on the Irish subsidiary or workforce. I am aware that the company in question is considering plans to rationalise its business on a global scale. The company involved has 133 factories and 55,000 employees worldwide and possible reductions of up to 20% and 10% respectively have recently been the subject of reports. As a private concern the group is of course, responsible for deciding its own future.
The Irish company has been supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2002-03 in an investment programme targeted at reducing its manufacturing cost base by 40% through increased automation and employee training. This will assist in securing the existing facility in Ireland and also position it to compete for further investment downstream. Enterprise Ireland has a pro-active business relationship with the Irish company and will continue to monitor the situation.
