Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Job Losses.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

193 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans that exist to replace the jobs currently lost and being lost due to the demise of the textile industry in Inishowen, County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17000/02]

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

194 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs, by county, in the textile sector lost in the north western region in each of the years from 1997 and to date in 2002; the age profile of those who lost their jobs; and if she will make a statement on the success of the current policy to redress the imbalance caused by the demise of this sector. [17001/02]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.

For the north west as a whole, counties Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim, there were 3,583 job losses between 1997 and 2001 in the textile and clothing sector. During the same period, there were 596 job gains. This brought employment in the sector from 5,056 at the end of 1996 to 2,069 at the end of 2001. These figures relate to IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta assisted companies. The following table sets out the detail of the job losses:

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	Cumulative
Donegal	265	398	1,439	678	623	3,403
Sligo	1	0	1	2	1	5
Leitrim	75	89	2	7	2	175
Total	341	487	1,442	687	626	3,583

Information on the age profile of these jobs is not recorded.

Government agencies are actively supporting the needs of firms operating in the clothing and textiles sector to assist them in ensuring the long-term viability of their companies. A number of projects have been undertaken by Enterprise Ireland such as improving communications and design, increasing public relations activities, establishing production networks and strategic partnerships. One of these initiatives included a directory of Donegal clothing and textile companies which was produced along with an industry profile. Enterprise Ireland is also active in promoting inward buyer missions which include Donegal clothing and textile companies.

There have been a number of project announcements by overseas companies, supported by IDA Ireland, in County Donegal in the past few years. The most significant of these include Prumerica in 2000 and 2001, 600 jobs; Pacificare in 1999 and 2001, 310 jobs; and Keith Prowse in 2002, 120 jobs. In addition, the Donegal County Development Board along with Sligo and Leitrim County Development Boards, have recently published integrated strategies for the development of each county. The documents have a significant focus on inward investment.

Finally, I am satisfied that all the development agencies are continuing to market the north west region, including Donegal and Inishowen, for suitable industrial projects.