asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he is aware of the closure of a firm (details supplied) in County Laois with a loss of 70 jobs; and the action he will take to provide alternative employment for the big number of industrial jobs lost in recent months in Portlaoise town.
Written Answers. - Laois Firm.
526.
I am aware that this firm has gone into receivership recently and that there is a prospect of it closing in the near future. The IDA have had discussions with the receiver and will endeavour to assist him in every possible way to try to identify a party, either in Ireland or overseas, interested in taking over the plant.
With regard to the efforts which are being made to provide new employment opportunities in Portlaoise, the IDA have provided a cluster of four factory units, of 3,000 sq. ft. each, in the town and these are being actively promoted as locations for suitable small industry projects. In addition the IDA have an industrial site of 50 acres in the town for future development.
Also as the Deputy is probably aware, I recently announced expansion plans by ENB (Ireland) Ltd, which will provide an additional 30 jobs in due course and involves transfer of the ENB operation to an IDA 43,300 sq. ft. advance factory. When this move is completed the 24,000 sq. ft. factory currently occupied by ENB will also be actively promoted by the IDA.