Vol. 503 No. 3
143 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding securing an alternative industry for Ballinrobe, County Mayo; if the task force has identified any industry to replace the job losses in this town. [9962/99]
I established the Ballinrobe Inter-Agency Task Force last January in response to the closure of the Betatherm Ireland Ltd. plant in the town. A survey conducted by the task force among former employees of the plant has shown that opportunities for employment in the town have reduced the impact of the closure. A total of 30 former employees responded to the questionnaire, of whom 17 have already found employment while 13 are still unemployed.
The questionnaire also sought to establish the level of training required for the ex-employees of the company. The local employment services group is organising for training to be arranged for 14 people by FÁS or the Mayo County Enterprise Board.
The task force continues to explore the prospects for attracting alternative industry to Ballinrobe and is working with Lake District Enterprise on the possibility of establishing a community enterprise centre in Ballinrobe.
