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Job Creation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 December 2013

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

Questions (66)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

66. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken by Industrial Development Authority Ireland to attract investment and additional employment to north Dublin following the reported loss of up to 570 jobs in the coming three years at MSD Swords. [53227/13]

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Written answers

In the case of the Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD) plant in Swords, the company has had to undertake a review of its worldwide manufacturing capabilities to improve it overall operational effectiveness. Following the merger of that company with Schering Plough, the combined operation has excess manufacturing capacity worldwide. Accordingly, as part of an overall rationalisation, the company has, unfortunately decided to close the Swords operation by 2017 and transfer production to other factories in the group, located in countries abroad.

The gradual shutdown of this plant gives a valuable space to seek a new operation for the factory. It is not anticipated that any staff will have to leave before mid-2014 at the earliest and that 130 jobs would be lost in the second half of 2014. The remaining positions would be phased out over the following three years up to the end of 2017. IDA Ireland will work closely with MSD with a view to identifying a buyer for the factory. I can assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to seek to ensure that this factory can continue as an employer in the area, after the current operation is due to close in 2017.

Regarding wider job creation in Dublin, I am pleased that the IDA continues to attract impressive levels of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) both in terms of attracting new projects and, also, expansions to existing operations in the capital. In addition, significant Research, Development and Innovation investments have been secured across a range of sectors, including Financial Services, ICT and Pharma and major Data Centre investments are being undertaken in different parts of the county.

In terms of wider national FDI, it is also important to remember that Ireland overall continues to be competitive in attracting new investment. Over 1,000 multinational corporations have chosen Ireland as their strategic European base. Multinationals currently employ 146,000 people directly and many more indirectly. In the wider context, as a Government, we have put in place strategies for job creation that are now starting to bear fruit. The Government will continue to deliver on its commitments in the Action Plan for Jobs. Through the Action Plan for Jobs in both 2012 and in 2013 we have addressed a wide range of competitiveness issues which has helped turn the economy around and provide the base for private sector job growth. We are currently developing an Action Plan for Jobs for 2014 which will build on these achievements. The work of the enterprise agencies will continue to play a huge role in this process.

Recent official data has shown that 58,000 jobs have been created in the country over the last 12 months, which is an impressive achievement, in light of the economic difficulties we have faced. This is the fourth quarter in succession where employment has grown. That CSO data shows that an additional 26,600 jobs have been created in the Dublin area alone in the last 2 years, as the economic recovery takes hold.

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