Ba mhaith liom an cheist seo a ardú annso anocht. Last August, the announcement of the closure of GSI in Macroom came as a bombshell to the people of the area. Not alone did this closure have a devastating effect on the town, but on the whole locality. The employees in this factory came from the surrounding area, within a radius of about 20 miles. People travelled there from Dunmanway, Millstreet, Ballincollig and Killarney. It has affected the economy of the town of Macroom. It has also had a devastating effect on the rural community, as many small farming holdings were dependent on the second income generated by GSI. Many people who worked there have been in the factory since it opened, and in some instances both husband and wife were employed there. This will be a major factor in the repayment of house mortgages. Its closure has a knock-on effect on many local businesses, which depended on GSI, and the various suppliers to this enterprise. Thereby, the 700 redundancies could possibly be doubled when those other jobs are taken into consideration.
Following the closure of GSI, a task force was set up. The search for an alternative industry to locate in the GSI facility has been the main target of this task force. The task force has now been in operation for more than four months. Numerous companies have been contacted and a brochure has been produced to market the facility, but it would appear that concrete results have not been achieved, and the plant is still empty. The success of this task force can only be measured in terms of achieving its goal, which is to find a replacement industry or industries. Reports are made available, but will this task force be wound down like the one set up at the Monyleke factory in Dunmanway and wound down recently without any replacement industry found? I understand this premises is now used as a warehouse. This would not be a satisfactory outcome for the GSI plant.
Is the IDA pursuing any definite line of action? Is there any conclusive evidence that the task force has produced results. I know a small number of people have been re-employed, mainly in Cork city, and others have gone on courses with FÁS and to further education. However, this is not the answer to the problem that exists following this closure, and will not be a solution in the long-term. The creation of jobs is what is needed in Macroom, either through a new company or a number of smaller industries.