Vol. 299 No. 3
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the action he took beforehand to prevent the closure of a factory (name supplied) in Tallaght, County Dublin; and if he is satisfied that action is being taken in sufficient time by his Department to prevent closures of this kind.
21.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the action he proposes to take to provide alternative employment for the work force laid off by the recent sudden closure of a factory (name supplied) in Tallaght, County Dublin.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
I have been informed by the Industrial Development Authority that detailed discussions were held with the company several months prior to the closure of the plant. The company's difficulty arose primarily from a drop in demand for some of their products. Attempts to find other suitable products from within the parent group which could be manufactured in Tallaght were not successful.
The authority are now endeavouring to secure a replacement project for the factory. Full details have been circulated to the authority's overseas offices and a number of possible promoters have been approached directly. No positive proposals have resulted to date.
I am satisfied that the Department and the appropriate State agencies take all possible steps to prevent the closure of operations where this is practicable. The bodies stand ready to give all possible assistance to companies in difficulties. In this connection I would take the general point that firms which foresee problems should approach the appropriate State agency in good time.
Question No. 22 postponed.
