Written Answers. - Job Losses.
David Stanton
Ceist:
135
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
her plans to visit east Cork in view of the number of job losses that have occurred there recently; her further plans to visit the towns; the number of meetings arranged; the actions she intends to take; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4529/03]
Joe Sherlock
Ceist:
167
Mr. Sherlock
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the discussions she has had with the industrial development agencies regarding replacement industries for the east Cork region, having regard to the huge loss of jobs arising from the closures of companies (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4423/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 167 together.
The recent announcements by Technicolor of its intention to close its plant and by Artesyn to reduce the number of people employed at its facility in Youghal are a major disappointment and I recognise the impact on the local community. I am regularly in contact with the development agencies regarding the importance of securing replacement industries for towns affected by job losses. IDA and Enterprise Ireland are working with Artesyn to prepare a profile of its building and it is intended, with the approval of Technicolor, to undertake similar profile work of its building. This will prove useful in the future marketing of the properties to potential investors.
These agencies have met the Youghal Chamber of Commerce and are currently working on a profile of the area which will become an intrinsic part of the marketing material for the region. FÁS, the national training authority, has contacted both companies to discuss a detailed programme to assist those who are being made redundant to find suitable alternative employment. FÁS will make available its full range of support services including skills analysis, jobs placement, guidance and counselling interviews, identification of training needs and suitable training courses.
While east Cork has suffered job losses in recent times, it has also been extremely successful in terms of attracting new overseas investments to the area, with nearly half of all job announcements in the Cork and Kerry region in 2002 being located in east Cork. This is expected to lead to more than 600 new jobs in the years ahead at Schlumberger, Fournier, RF Integration, Dow Corning and Amersham Health. East Cork has proved to be a particularly attractive location for the health care, pharmaceutical and internationally traded services sectors and IDA Ireland hopes this will result in further investments in 2003.
The Government is committed to ensuring the most equitable regional distribution of job opportunities and I have impressed on the development agencies the importance of making even greater efforts in this field. I make every effort to visit different regional centres and meet a wide range of interested parties on a regular basis. As regards visiting the east Cork area, my colleague, Deputy Michael Ahern, Minister of State with responsibility for trade and commerce, met the Youghal Chamber of Commerce and the Youghal Town Council on 17 January, to discuss the issues arising from the recent announcements. The meeting was attended by the director of the southern region of IDA Ireland and the director of Enterprise Ireland's south west region. A further meeting to discuss the situation took place last Friday, 14 February, between the Minister, Deputy Ahern, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland and Cobh and Harbour Chamber of Commerce.
The State agencies under the auspices of my Department will continue to strongly promote east Cork in the attraction of inward investment and the development and expansion of indigenous industry, including small industry.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:
136
Mr. Naughten
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the action she intends to take to address recent job losses in Ballinasloe and Athlone; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4283/03]
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:
142
Mr. M. Higgins
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
in regard to her statement of 16 January 2003, the discussions she has had with the industrial development agencies or other bodies with a view to providing employment in the Ballinasloe area following the announcement of the closure of a company (details supplied) with the loss of 385 jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4424/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 142 together.
I share the Deputies' concerns about the job losses over recent months in Ballinasloe and Athlone and I recognise the impact on the lives of workers, their families and the local community.
In an effort to lessen the impact of the Square D closure in Ballinasloe, the North American division of the parent company, Schneider Electric, has stated that it is committed to working with IDA Ireland to find potential clients for the Ballinasloe plant, to assist employees to obtain new jobs and to provide outplacement assistance and job search training. The agencies under the remit of my Department are also working assiduously to lessen the impact of the closure. IDA has already brought two clients to view the plant and will continue to explore other possibilities as well as seeking out other potential clients. Enterprise Ireland has also begun discussions with the company to offer support for any possible start ups by local senior management. FÁS, the national training authority, has been in contact with the company and will provide a range of training courses which will be designed to meet the skill needs of individuals to enhance their employability, while providing the area with a skilled work force.
IDA Ireland is committed to the development of Ballinasloe and is actively promoting the town for new foreign investment. The IDA acquired 35 acres of land at Creagh on the east side of Ballinasloe for development as a new business park. Development work has been completed on the park and the IDA co-operated with local developers to construct a 27,000 sq. ft. advance unit on the park. The IDA has been successful in attracting Valois, a French engineering company, to establish a manufacturing operation in this new unit. Planning permission has been lodged for a second advance building on the park. Construction will commence immediately on receipt of same and the IDA has already begun marketing this facility. Enterprise Ireland, EI, has approved funding of €120,000 for the work in progress at the community owned enterprise centre in Ballinasloe and it is understood that there is still some space available for potential projects.
The Galway county and city enterprise board has been actively involved in industrial-community development in Ballinasloe. During 2002, considerable progress was made with the area community development group which now houses four start up businesses. In relation to Athlone, IDA Ireland is fully committed to the development of the BMW region and has put in place a strategy to attract greenfield investment into the region, including Athlone. This strategy included the transfer of IDA divisions to Athlone. IDA Ireland has established its health care division in Athlone, together with part of the property and regions divisions and is now fully operational.
IDA Ireland is actively working with the support of Athlone Institute of Technology in enhancing the attractiveness of the town and region for inward investment. The objective of this is to establish Athlone as a key location for such investors. In addition, a comprehensive property programme is in place on the Garrycastle business and technology park, Athlone. Two new technology buildings of approximately 25,000 sq. ft. and an office unit of 14,000 sq. ft. are being actively marketed by the IDA. The IDA has obtained planning permission for a third technology building and construction will commence as soon as a tenant has been secured for one of the other two technology buildings on the estate.
Enterprise Ireland is in partnership with Athlone Institute of Technology in setting up the midland enterprise programme which will commence in March 2003. This programme affords the opportunity to develop business plans and to carry out market research for ideas before actually starting a business. All of the State agencies under the auspices of my Department will continue to work closely in the interests of promoting Ballinasloe and Athlone for additional investment and job creation.
