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Job Creation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2021

Thursday, 25 March 2021

Questions (7)

Denis Naughten

Question:

7. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for replacement jobs at a company (details supplied) in County Galway; the steps he has taken to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16282/21]

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Written answers

The job losses at Aptar were deeply disappointing and I once again express my sympathy and concern for the workers and families impacted by this decision and acknowledge the impact that this has had on Ballinasloe and the surrounding area.

IDA Ireland is working closely with the company to market the plant to potential investors, using the employee skills audit in their efforts to attract new investment to Ballinasloe. The IDA has introduced a number of companies who are interested in the Ballinasloe facility to the Aptar management team and has also arranged visits to the site. These discussions are ongoing. In the meantime, IDA Ireland continues to market the site to both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland clients.

IDA, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices continue to work with stakeholders in the region to secure sustainable employment opportunities in the West, including in Ballinasloe. IDA will promote the Aptar property to prospective foreign direct investment and indigenous companies. I was encouraged to hear that 60 former Aptar employees had already secured alternative employment by the end of 2020.

IDA is an active member of the West Regional Enterprise Steering Committee, which works collaboratively to focus on enterprise development in the West Region. The committee is comprised of representatives of various agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, the local enterprise offices, the local authority chief executives, the regional skills forum manager, the Western Development Commission, higher and further education institutes, and Fáilte Ireland. I attended a virtual meeting with the Committee on 11 December 2020, which was focused on maximising enterprise development potential in the West, including Ballinasloe.

Following on from this meeting, I have appointed a new Chairperson to the Committee, Evelyn O’Toole of Complete Laboratory Solutions Galway. Along with the Chairpersons of all of the regional committees around the country, I have asked her to commence with the development of a new Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024 for the West region, working with my Department and the range of regional stakeholders on the Committee including IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices and the Western Development Commission amongst others. Minister of State Robert Troy will lead on the development of the West Plan and has already met with the West Regional Enterprise Steering Committee on 2 March to get the process underway.

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