Written Answers. - Employment Task Forces.
Michael Creed
Ceist:
73
Mr. Creed
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the number of task forces operating as a result of high unemployment or specific job losses; their terms of reference; and their success or failure in meeting their objectives.
[21624/98]
There are five task forces operating at present, which I established, namely the North Mayo Enterprise Initiative, the Leitrim Enterprise Project Group, the Donegal Employment Initiative and the Mullingar and Limerick Inter Agency Groups.
The terms of reference for the North Mayo Enterprise Initiative are to make proposals and to advise me on the options that remain to secure the future of the Killala plants as synthetic fibre manufacturing operations; the replacement industry-industries being located in the North Mayo area including those which can utilise the Asahi premises and workforce; steps necessary to assist local suppliers and sub-contractors and who are facing loss of business; assisting Asahi workers in such areas as career change training, retraining, job search and enterprise; supporting local SMEs to expand, including the possibility of incentives for employment of ex-Asahi employees; and such other matters arising out of the situation of north Mayo as the initiative may determine.
The initiative has worked relentlessly in the pursuit of employment opportunities for the region. I am delighted to say that since the establishment of the initiative on 10 July 1997 I have announced many new jobs for the region, including the following:
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Carrowkeel Seafoods, Killala
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85 jobs
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Lionbridge technologies, Ballina
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100 jobs
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Coca-Cola, Ballina
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150 jobs
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Volex, Castlebar
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200 jobs
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Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Westport
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170 jobs
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These projects are making a significant direct contribution to the region's economy as well as creating additional spin-off employment arising from sub-supply opportunities. The Coca-Cola project alone will create over 1,000 jobs during its construction phase.
I also announced that FÁS is to support the establishment of an auto-turning training centre in Ballina in conjunction with the industry. Location of the centre in Ballina is a major boost for the long-term job creating prospects of the region and was a recommendation of the North Mayo Enterprise Initiative.
In relation to the former Asahi facility, IDA Ireland is continuing to work closely with the new owners, UPE Inc., in marketing the complex to suitable chemical companies. Six major chemical companies in the carbon fibre business have visited the site with varying levels of interest. IDA Ireland also continues to promote the advance factory at Bunree Industrial Estate and has identified a 25 acre site suitable for development as a high quality business park.
In relation to a further recommendation of the initiative, the Department of the Environment and Local Government has approved funding for the provision of a main drainage scheme for Killala Road and Swinford Road, Ballina, which is expected to open up over 160 acres of land for development purposes.
The chairman of the initiative has informed me that its work to date has been extremely rewarding, concentrating the minds of all, not alone on the needs, but also on the resources that are available to help fashion a successful future for the area. The initiative is continuing to work on the implementation of its proposals in conjunction with State agencies and local community interests, where appropriate, and I look forward to learning of further progress made in the pursuit of its objectives.
The Leitrim Enterprise Project Group was established on 20 April 1998 in the wake of the closure of Ballinamore Textiles Ltd. The terms of reference are: assessment of the skills of the labour force in County Leitrim; provision of training and retraining opportunities of the labour force; marketing of County Leitrim for direct foreign investment; encouraging indigenous business opportunities in the county; highlighting the availability of the industrial development sites throughout County Leitrim; providing encouragement to those who wish to pursue entrepreneurial ventures in their own right; maximising the potential to the county of the urban renewal scheme and the new pilot rural renewal scheme; and assessing the local infrastructural needs and liaising with the relevant State authorities.
The Leitrim Enterprise Project Group has recently submitted its interim report, which contains a number of wide-ranging recommendations. I am pursuing these recommendations with my relevant Government colleagues and with the State agencies who are working on their implementarion. With over 50 recommendations, the interim report presents a very broad agenda for the development of County Leitrim. Clearly, some of the recommendations could only be implemented over the longer term. I have asked the group to focus on prioritising and implementing those recommendations which would have the greatest impact in terms of industrial development employment creation.
In response to employment difficulties being experienced in County Donegal and, in particular, the immediate risk of job losses at Fruit of the Loom plants. I established the Donegal Employment Initiative on 16 September 1998.
The terms of reference for the Donegal Employment Initiative are to assess and recommend the most appropriate responses to offset and compensate for the immediate risks to jobs in particular areas of Donegal; and to draw up a set of priority actions for establishing Donegal as a prime, competitive and attractive location for job-creating investment.
Since its establishment, the task force has met on two occasions and has agreed a programme of work to ensure that urgent action is taken to complete the tasks it has been assigned under its terms of reference.
On Thursday last, 29 October, I announced the establishment of a special Inter Agency Group to examine and respond to the needs of employees of Tarkett Ireland Ltd. and look at ways for further action on job creation in Mullingar. The Inter Agency Group will be chaired by Mr. Frank Conlon, area director, IDA Ireland, and comprise representatives of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, FÁS, the Westmeath County Enterprise Board along with representatives of Tarkett Ireland Ltd.
The terms of reference for the group will be to secure alternative job creating enterprise both from overseas and indigenous investors to Mullingar with particular regard to the location of a new industry in Tarkett's existing facility; to provide an immediate skills assessment and suitable training opportunities for the affected workers; and to provide the necessary information and assistance to any employees who may wish to establish their own enterprises.
On 30 October I announced an Interagency Response Group to address the issues that will arise for workers made redundant by the closure of Krups of Limerick and who seek to find new employment. It will focus on finding replacement industry and jobs as well as on addressing the retraining needs of redundant workers.
