Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2015
226. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of finding a replacement industry following the closure of a manufacturing plant (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46193/15]
View answerFinding a replacement industry for Carrickmacross remains a very high priority. I have been in regular contact with IDA Ireland to ensure that everything possible is being done to market the facility abroad through IDA’s network of overseas offices. I have also ensured that Enterprise Ireland is likewise marketing the facility to its client base. The premises are privately owned and leased by BOSE. Both the building itself and the skilled workforce already there are strong selling points.
IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland met with Monaghan County Council on 23 September to discuss the BOSE facility. A follow-up meeting will be held in the New Year to further discuss the matter. Both agencies will continue to work with Monaghan County Council on this issue.
Since the national Action Plan for Jobs was launched in early 2012 more than 20,000 extra people are at work in the North East/North West region (a 12% increase), while 31,600 jobs were lost in the region in the period 2008 - 2011. Monaghan, like many other areas, has seen positive trends in recent years, with employment in agency-supported companies expanding by 11% and substantial improvement in the live register. However, I believe that more can be done. As part of the government’s €250m Regional Action Plan for Jobs, I recently launched the North East/North West Action Plan for jobs with a target to create 28,000 additional jobs throughout the North East/North West. The Plan focuses on maximising the strengths and assets of the region to support enterprise growth and job creation and to build on the progress that has already been made.
