Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 June 2004
22 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that are being taken to find replacement jobs for the Rathdrum area of County Wicklow following the announcement of 76 job losses at a company (details supplied). [17943/04]
View answerI am conscious of the affect that a recent announcement of voluntary redundancies in Schering-Plough, Avondale, Rathdrum, County Wicklow has had on workers and their families. Alternative employment is a priority for FÁS and the State's development agencies. FÁS has provided the full range of support services, including skills analysis, training and job placement, to the staff.
The IDA has informed me that job creation is continuing in nearby Arklow where a Euroconnex Technologies phase 1 development has been completed. There are 230 people employed and planning permission has been sought for temporary office facilities to accommodate 130 additional employees.
The Inamed-McGhan investment expansion announced in 2003 for 200 jobs is well advanced and it employs over 340 staff in Arklow. The Servier Pharmaceutical investment expansion in Arklow has been implemented with over 100 extra jobs created. IDA Arklow business park is the host location for a new Vitra Tiles manufacturing and logistics project. Over €2 million has been invested in a major development programme at the business park. Negotiations are also well advanced for an expansion, involving 90 jobs, of a Bray based and IDA client pharmaceutical company.
Enterprise Ireland continues to work with its client companies in County Wicklow. They have become more competitive in their drive to increase export sales and it has resulted in further job creation in the area. Since 2003 Enterprise Ireland approved over €4.5 million for its client companies.
Enterprise Ireland approved more than €4.5 million in capital funding for enterprise centres in County Wicklow through the urban community enterprise scheme 1999-2000. The expansion of the Wicklow enterprise park and enterprise centres in Arklow and Bray were included.
The State development agencies operate under the aegis of my Department. They have successfully promoted and will continue to promote the Wicklow area for enterprise development.
