Vol. 418 No. 8
22 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline the implications for job creation policy of the decision by a Finglas based company (details supplied) to shed at least 140 of its 337 jobs, especially in view of statements by the chief executive of the IDA that the computer and electronics industries were being targeted for special job creation efforts over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The targeting, by the IDA, of component suppliers to the electronics sector is consistent with the long established industrial policy objective of developing strong linkages within the Irish Economy. IDA's focusing of the Linkage Programme on the electronics sector seeks to build an infrastructure of sub-suppliers of an appropriate capability and scale with the objective of maximising the job spin-off from industrial investment.
The Deputy will appreciate that the electronics industry, as an increasingly all-pervasive enabling technology, has long term potential. However, it is not immune to the competitive forces brought about by the current global recession. Set-backs have been and will be encountered but I am satisfied that we should and must consolidate proven manufacturing capabilities thereby increasing employment.
