Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2005
11 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action he intends to take to bring alternative employment to Clondalkin in Dublin following the closure of a company (details supplied) with the loss of 220 jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6193/05]
View answer44 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the recent job losses announced at a number of plants (details supplied); the steps he is taking to deal with the serious level of job losses; the plans there are for the provision of replacement industries in these locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6171/05]
View answer65 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the major concerns in the Bandon area, arising from the lay off of 178 of the staff of a major industrial plant in Brinny, near Bandon; if he has proposals in relation to employment possibilities for the staff in question and general employment possibilities in the Bandon area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6114/05]
View answer84 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action he intends to take to bring alternative employment to Carlow town following the closure of the Greencore sugar company plant with the loss of 250 jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6196/05]
View answer87 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action he intends to take to bring alternative employment to Clonskeagh in Dublin following the closure of the Smurfit Paper Mills with the loss of 70 jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6194/05]
View answer121 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the decision by Greencore to close the beet processing plant in Carlow; the work being undertaken by Enterprise Ireland to secure an alternative industry for Carlow town; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6440/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 44, 65, 84, 87 and 121 together.
I am aware of the recent job losses which have been announced. In such circumstances, my immediate concern is for workers who have lost their jobs or will lose them soon. The full services of FÁS are available to the workers at the earliest opportunity if they wish to avail of them. Services which are likely to be availed of relate to retraining and upskilling, which are of particular assistance when re-entering the workplace.
The job losses at Schering Plough will initially take place on a voluntary basis over a 12-month period. A similar reduction in numbers that was announced in December 2003 was achieved through voluntary redundancy and the ending of temporary contracts.
SerCom has decided to cease its production activities in Dublin to ensure it continues to provide the highest level of service to its customers in a profitable manner and protects the future viability of the business. It proposes to concentrate on its Limerick facility, in which 300 people are already employed. Some 32 jobs will be retained in Dublin to provide support services.
The decision by Jefferson Smurfit to close its operation in Dublin follows a detailed review of its paper mill operation, which has become uncompetitive. The Clonskeagh operation was the last paper manufacturing plant in Ireland.
The board of Greencore has made a commercial decision to cease the production of sugar beet in Carlow. The sole production facility in Ireland will be retained in Mallow. The full implications of the company's decision are being assessed by the development agencies.
Direct employment in companies in Cork supported by IDA Ireland continues to grow. Information and communications technologies, medical technologies and international services are the main sectors which are contributing to that growth. Projects approved in the last four years created up to 5,000 jobs. A number of developments in Cork will provide significant employment opportunities, such as Aer Rianta's investment at Cork Airport and the construction of a flyover at the Kinsale Road roundabout.
Wyeth Biopharma employs approximately 700 people at Clondalkin in Dublin, a figure that is expected to rise to 1,300 by the end of the year.
I was wondering what job creation in Cork had to do with job losses in Clondalkin.
I referred to Cork because Question No. 65 relates to job losses at Schering Plough near Bandon.
A Japanese pharmaceuticals company, Takeda Chemical Industries, has also begun construction in Clondalkin and will employ 50 people. A number of projects at Citywest are providing locally accessible employment opportunities for people in Clondalkin.
The existing base of overseas companies in Carlow consists of five firms, which employ almost 1,000 people. In addition, IDA Ireland has committed investment of €11.5 million to the development of Carlow business and technology park. Enterprise Ireland and the Carlow county enterprise board are similarly committed to the development of industry in Carlow.
Job losses and gains have always been and will continue to be part of the economic landscape. It is important to stress that Ireland's unemployment rate is among the lowest in Europe. The industrial development agencies are undertaking investment promotion activities to generate new flows of foreign direct investment into Ireland, while developing the indigenous industrial base. They are working to identify and support new investment opportunities from existing client bases. Ireland needs to maximise investment from growth sectors such as the medical devices sector. It is also important to maintain and improve the competitiveness of companies and to enhance their capacity for investment and employment creation. I am satisfied that the combined effort of the industrial development agencies, along with the involvement of local business and community interests, will be sufficient to address the job needs of the country in general.
Written answers follow Adjournment Debate.
