Michael Ring
Ceist:497 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the steps, if any, Údarás na Gaeltachta has taken to save certain jobs (details supplied) in County Mayo. [21533/99]
Written Answers. - Job Protection.
I was informed by letter of 2 September by Coillte Teoranta that the staff and union representatives at the plant referred to by the Deputy, had that day been informed that it had been decided to phase out the plant. All the employees of the plant have been offered either redeployment within Coillte Teoranta or a severance package. I understand that Coillte Teoranta has agreed to make the site available to Údarás na Gaeltachta, on terms to be agreed, if a suitable enterprise is secured for it. An tÚdarás is actively seeking an alternative undertaking for the site in order to provide suitable employment for those workers who are accepting redundancy from Coillte Teoranta.
I should also add that an tÚdarás continues to have considerable success in helping to create employment and attract industries to this Gaeltacht area. In the general area there were 183 persons employed full-time in industries grant-aided by an tÚdarás at the end of 1998 – an increase of 22 persons on the number employed at the end of the previous year. A significant further number is expected to be employed in two new industries that set up in the area – one in 1998 and the other in 1999.