Job Losses

Wednesday, 12 May 2010

Questions (75)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

109 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of jobs in the manufacturing or services sectors lost in County Kildare in each of the past ten years to date in 2010; the number relocated to other jurisdictions; the reason given for the relocation; the action or actions taken to address these issues; the net effect of such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19675/10]

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Written answers

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

Details of jobs, including jobs lost, in agency-assisted companies in Co. Kildare between 2000 and 2009, are set out in the table. As this data is compiled on an annualised basis, figures in respect of 2010 will not be available until early in 2011. It is not possible to audit the extent to which job losses in the economy arise due to firms relocating abroad. Information received by the enterprise development agencies from client companies which have closed plants or downsized their workforces suggests that job losses have been attributable to a range of factors including loss of contracts or a drop in demand for products, restructuring and rationalisation within companies and relocation of operations abroad. For those firms who relocate activities abroad, there are many factors that can influence this decision. For example, firms adjust their plant location and utilisation strategies to address matters such as accessing new markets, moving production nearer to customers, meeting firm or market specific customer relationship issues, accessing technology, business takeovers and consolidations. The result is flows of investment and employment across borders.

The relocation of businesses within particular types of industry is a reality of modern global manufacturing for a highly developed economy such as Ireland. We successfully manage this process, through our policies on enterprise and foreign direct investment. These policies have enabled us to win many prestigious and value added investments. New jobs created in the enterprise development agencies' client companies in the last number of years are heavily concentrated in high-value added, knowledge-based companies that offer greater security in the face of intense international competition. To support this strategy, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland are working closely with educational institutions in the County, to foster links with industry and in developing the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment to Kildare. The agencies are also working with FÁS to provide guidance in developing the skill sets needed by those already in the workforce who are interested in upskilling.

Since the beginning of 2007, Enterprise Ireland has approved over €20m in support to companies in Kildare to help them grow their sales and exports and improve innovation and new product development in order that they can compete on world markets.

Numbers Employed in Agency Assisted Companies in Co. Kildare

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Job Change (Full Time)
Manufacturing	1,662	-300	359	72	294	474	120	-620	-930	-1,637
International Services	553	19	-408	6	121	119	122	-29	60	-95
Total	2,215	-281	-49	78	415	593	242	-649	-870	-1732
Job Gains (Full Time)
Manufacturing	2,105	641	882	845	914	805	799	591	246	251
International Services	584	261	68	127	204	228	157	87	217	131
Total	2,689	902	950	972	1,118	1,033	956	678	463	382
Job Loss (Full Time)
Manufacturing	-443	-941	-523	-773	-620	-331	-679	-1,211	-1,176	-1,888
International Services	-31	-242	-476	-121	-83	-109	-35	-116	-157	-226
Total	-474	-1,183	-999	-894	-703	-440	-714	-1,327	-1,333	-2,114