Firstly I should state that I fully understand the concerns of the workers and their families as they receive this very difficult news. All the supports of the State will be made available to support the workers, as and when needed, and for the creation of jobs in the area.
I should also point out that I had engaged with senior management of the company in question and urged them to reconsider the decision, and asked if there is anything the State or its agencies could do to mitigate its effects. However, due to a cost base which is significantly out of line with competitor countries, the company believed it had no alternative to a rationalisation at its Kerry plant. The company has pledged to support departing workers with placement services. The company has also said it will work closely with workers in an effort to ensure that the impact of its decision is minimised to the greatest extent possible and to discuss investment it will be making in Ireland in order to build a stronger business here for the long term.
In response to these developments, I have established an inter-agency group to co-ordinate the Government’s response to the job losses at the company. The group will be led by Enterprise Ireland and will seek to secure alternative employment for the areas affected. It will also ensure that departing workers have access to supports they need from State agencies for retraining, access to social welfare supports and access to advice on employment rights. The group will comprise representatives from Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Local Authority, Local Enterprise Office, Department of Social Protection and Solas.
In an effort to co-ordinate constructive cross-party action to support workers affected, I invited TDs and Senators from the areas affected, including Kerry, to a briefing in my Department on the situation last week.
In addition to the above, Enterprise Ireland has had an ongoing intensive engagement with the company with a view to mitigating the job losses across the group in Ireland. On foot of the company’s announcement of job losses in the company including its plant in Rathmore, Enterprise Ireland has met the management of the company and further meetings are scheduled in the coming days. In addition, Enterprise Ireland will continue to support entrepreneurs, enterprises and job creation in Kerry.
For workers who might consider starting their own business, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the first-stop-shop for support to anyone wishing to start or expand a business, focussing on the micro-enterprise sector (10 employees or less). The LEOs can provide information, advice and guidance on the range of State supports to enterprise and signpost customers to the appropriate contacts across the various agencies that provide them. For businesses in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sectors, the LEOs can provide direct financial support to develop or implement a business idea. The LEOs can also provide access to loan finance through the Microfinance Ireland Scheme. For other sectors the LEO may be able to provide non-financial supports such as specific and tailored business training or mentoring to help a business to develop. Each LEO is also active in developing local networks and other activities and events that bring business people and entrepreneurs together as a means of supporting each other. Further information can be found on the LEO website at www.localenterprise.ie.
