Vol. 484 No. 3
53 Mr. O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans, if any, she has to install replacement industries in Dungarvan, County Waterford, in Clonmel, County Tipperary, in Dundalk, County Louth and in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, and other areas affected by the Avonmore and Waterford co-operatives rationalisation. [22016/97]
54 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the indication, if any, she was given that the merger of Avonmore and Waterford would result in the loss of 750 jobs in the course of discussions with her Department prior to this merger; the further discussions, if any, she has had with the Avonmore and Waterford Group in order to establish the number of these jobs which can be saved since the announcement of the proposed job losses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21975/97]
59 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has met in the recent past or will meet in the near future with the chief executive and senior management of Avonmore and Waterford Group to discuss the impact of the formation of the new group on various aspects of economic and regional policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21150/97]
81 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she carried out an employment impact assessment when considering the amalgamation of the Waterford and Avonmore groups under the Mergers, Take-overs and Monopolies (Control) Act, 1978; if she ensured, in approving the merger, inbuilt protection for workers particularly at Premier Dairies in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 which is proposed to be closed; and if she will set up a committee to ensure replacement of the 300 jobs directly lost due to closure and particularly to guarantee an alternative use for the Rathfarnham facility. [21966/97]
108 Mr. O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention had been drawn to the fact that the merger between Avonmore and Waterford co-operatives would result in job losses, before the merger was authorised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22015/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 54, 59, 81 and 108 together.
Any merger invoking a significant element of rationalisation will result in economies of scale and job reductions. These were among the issues I considered prior to deciding whether to refer the merger to the Competition Authority. As Deputies are aware, I had discussions with the Avonmore Waterford Group management and trade unions in recent weeks about future employment with a view to seeking to ensure that job losses arising from the merger are kept to the minimum possible. These contacts are continuing and I have encouraged both sides to approach restructuring on the basis of dialogue and partnership. I appreciate the constructive approach being adopted by Deputies in the areas affected by closures.
At my request, Forbairt and other industrial development agencies are working closely with the Avonmore Waterford Group on a range of initiatives designed to address the serious employment issues arising in various areas from the proposed rationalisation. These initiatives, include the establishment of two task forces, one for the south east and the other for Dublin and the north east, to identify and secure employment replacement projects for areas adversely affected by job losses; provision of enterprise funds by the group and Forbairt to facilitate job creation in new projects; and new group job centres in Dungarvan and Rathfarnham to provide support services, such as retraining, for workers affected by the rationalisation.
