Vol. 428 No. 6
45 Mr. Cox asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the discussions, if any, he has had with the management of the Digital Corporation since the decision to close the manufacturing plant in Galway, in view of the fact that the software plant will remain open; and the action, if any, he intends to take so that the software division can expand and increase employment.
52 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the up to date position regarding a replacement company for Digital in Galway.
55 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if a communication was received from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions dated 26 February 1993 regarding the loss of jobs at Digital in County Galway; and if so, the response, if any, he gave to the proposals in the letter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 52 and 55 together.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions wrote to the Taoiseach on 26 February, 1993 suggesting that a task force should be set up for Galway. On the same day, I was already announcing the establishment of the Galway Task Force to tackle the impending employment situation there. The task force, under the chairmanship of the Galway City and County Manager, Mr. Séamus Keating, held its inaugural meeting on 4 March, 1993 and is now fully operational.
When establishing the task force I emphasised that a priority must be to put in place replacement industries. I asked the task force to focus in particular on expanding employment opportunities by means of capitalising on the existing Digital facilities together with the skills and infrastructure already available. The chairman and the task force secretariat is now working from the Digital plant. The Industrial Development Authority are also maintaining a presence in the plant so as to service employee queries and proposals. A first review of proposals from the employees and the community is underway.
