Vol. 497 No. 7
18 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received an interim report from the task force set up in Donegal to assist in identifying job opportunities for Fruit of the Loom workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25987/98]
63 Mr. McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received an interim report from the task force set up in Donegal to assist in identifying job opportunities for Fruit of the Loom workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25988/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 63 together.
Since its establishment on 16 September 1998 the Donegal employment initiative has met on three occasions. The Deputies will appreciate that the initiative has an extensive work programme which, in addition to the immediate need to put programmes in place for those recently made redundant, also covers issues such as promoting Donegal as a location for foreign direct investment, reviewing the county's infrastructural needs, especially in relation to access transport and telecommunications, promoting indigenous investment, and developing an education and skills database.
I met the chairman of the initiative last weekend to get an up to date briefing on the progress of the initiative's work. I am very pleased at the pace at which the initiative is proceeding and I expect to receive an interim report early in the new year.
