Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 May 2016
255. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action she has taken to protect jobs at a company (details supplied) since the appointment of an examiner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12420/16]
View answer257. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions she has taken to protect jobs at a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12422/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 257 together.
In the case of these companies, my Department, through IDA Ireland, has engaged intensively with both local management and with the parent companies abroad to pursue new investors to take over the plants in question.
Unfortunately, with regard to the company in Co. Tipperary, these efforts have not been successful to date and a liquidator was appointed last week. I have therefore arranged that the Inter Agency Group, which was established following the Ranbaxy closure in Cashel, will now work to assist the Suir Pharma employees regarding entitlements and training opportunities and also to help pursue securing new employment opportunities. This group is chaired by the CEO of the County Council and also includes representatives from IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Department of Social Protection, the local Education and Training Board, Tipperary Local Enterprise Office and Limerick Institute of Technology.
In the case of the company in County Clare, where the parent company made a decision on divesting that operation in November 2015, IDA Ireland has also worked closely with the company to introduce potential buyers. These efforts have, to date, proved unsuccessful, despite intensive negotiations having taken place with a prospective investor. Minister of State Breen proposes to visit the plant very shortly and will meet the company management and employees to discuss the current situation.
It should be appreciated that in all such cases, and despite our best efforts, the ultimate decision in these cases rests with the respective companies concerned.
I want to emphasise that IDA Ireland will continue to market both facilities to its existing client companies and also to potential new investors. It is encouraging that several companies have already visited both plants and we hope that further interest will be generated. Enterprise Ireland will also assess whether either facility could be of interest to any of that Agency’s client companies.
