Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Jul 1997

Vol. 480 No. 2

Written Answers. - Job Creation.

Brendan Kenneally

Ceist:

81 Mr. Kenneally asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment the steps, if any, she intends to take to ensure that replacement jobs are found in Waterford following the collapse of Bell Lines; if she will establish a special task force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14017/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Miss Harney)

I appreciate fully the urgency of finding replacement jobs for those who have lost their employment through the closure of Bell Lines. I am also very concerned at the plight in which former workers with this company, and their families, now find themselves. I know that the difficulties which they are experiencing are not only financial in character. Their shock and dismay at being made redundant is reinforced through real concerns for their future ability to support their families in the way they have been able to while in the employment of Bell Lines.

Accordingly, I have asked IDA Ireland in particular, as well as other agencies under my Department which have responsibility to facilitate employment creation, to intensify their efforts to attract suitable replacement jobs to Waterford.

I have been keeping in very close touch with the situation there and I can assure the Deputy and the House that I will do everything in my power to ensure that every effort is made to provide alternative employment for the former Bell Line workers.