Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
262. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when a factory (details supplied) in County Wicklow closed; the background to the closure; the action taken to prevent same; if the jobs were relocated elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6503/14]
View answerThis specific factory, which was established in 1989, employed 360 staff in 2008, but was closed on a phased basis in 2008-2009. A new parent company had acquired the facility in 2006 and, following a review by the company of its international operations, that analysis led the company to decide to close this factory and transfer production to another facility within that group, located in Costa Rica. That plant in Costa Rica had spare capacity and had cost competitive advantages over the County Wicklow operation.
Prior to this decision, IDA had engaged with the company in an attempt to secure its future but this was not possible. As you will appreciate, the ultimate decision in such cases is made by the parent company, on strictly commercial grounds, and on what is seen by the company as being in the best interests of the group as a whole. Following the decision, the relevant State bodies, Enterprise Ireland, the Wicklow County Enterprise Board (CEB) and FÁS were involved in providing advice, assistance and other supports. IDA continues to pursue the attraction of new industry for County Wicklow.
