asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the up-to-date position regarding (i) the number of workers who have become redundant as a result of the closure of a firm in Clara, County Offaly (name supplied); (ii) the alternative employment which has been provided for them; and (iii) the new factories which will be provided in this town to re-employ the people who became redundant.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Redundancy.
29.
I am informed by the company that to-date 88 workers have become redundant at Clara. In addition, 24 younger workers left to seek alternative employment.
In reply to previous questions on 16th December, 1970, I outlined the measures that were being taken to provide new employment in the area. Since then, the Industrial Development Authority have completed negotiations for the establishment of a new industry at Clara. This is expected to go into production at the end of June next and will provide employment for about 80 workers, mostly men, at full production. In addition, the IDA are negotiating with other promoters for the establishment of industries at Clara. I am not at liberty at this stage to give details regarding these proposals.
I understand that officers of the Department of Labour, Manpower Training Service and AnCO visited Clara and advised the workers of vacant jobs in other parts of the country and of the retraining facilities available. A small number of the workers have already been placed in other jobs or have been offered retraining. The process of endeavouring to place or retrain the workers who are prepared to move from Clara is continuing. In addition, AnCO will be prepared, if necessary, to provide ad hoc training in Clara for any new industry, depending on the requirements.
The news is too good there.