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Job Losses

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 February 2014

Thursday, 13 February 2014

Questions (130)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

130. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will request IDA Ireland to ensure that steps are taken to match those being made redundant at a company (details supplied) in Newbridge with appropriate vacancies that may arise at a company in Naas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7306/14]

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Written answers

It is unfortunate that due to over capacity factors affecting the parent company, some redundancies were announced in this plant in Newbridge late last year, involving slightly over one fifth of the total workforce at that facility. These redundancies are scheduled to take place throughout 2014. The company is currently working through the redundancy programme and, thankfully, a significant proportion of the jobs to be lost will be effected on a voluntary basis. The company is actively working with the employees concerned to identify new employment opportunities. IDA Ireland is working closely with the company as this process develops.

With regard to pursuing alternative employment opportunities for the staff concerned, the Government have been pursuing the adoption of a better approach as to how the State engages with and supports the unemployed to get back into the workforce. This cross organisational approach is reflected in the Protocol for Cooperation recently agreed between the Department of Social Protection, my Department, the Enterprise Development Agencies and the County Enterprise Boards. The main aim of this Protocol is to maximise the recruitment of appropriately skilled personnel from the Live Register by the client companies of the enterprise agencies. This initiative will lead to the development of more structured links and enhanced cooperation between the relevant State bodies.

Job creation prospects in a new company operation in Naas, which was supported by my Department through Enterprise Ireland, represent a very exciting opportunity for County Kildare and I look forward to that project developing as planned.

In relation to the wider work of the IDA, at present there are currently 25 IDA Ireland supported companies in Kildare employing approximately 10,172 people.

Regarding the Pharmaceutical sector overall in Ireland, while occasional job losses arise, due to globalisation, consolidation and patent expiry factors, it should be noted that employment in that sector overall has shown growth over the past 4 years, with an additional 2,000 net new jobs having been created in Ireland and 4 more companies now operating here.

In addition, further significant new investments in the Pharmaceutical sector have been recently announced; to create approximately 550 additional jobs in different centres around the country. IDA is confident that there will be other investment announcements during 2014.

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