I was very disappointed at the recent announcement by 3Com that it is to close its manufacturing facility at Ballycoolin Business Park, Blanchardstown, County Dublin, with the loss of 640 jobs, due to global restructuring and existing difficulties in the marketplace. The announcement is a blow to the workers, their families and the wider community. The facility will close by February 2004, with redundancies commencing the end of November 2003.
I understand that the company is offering a generous redundancy package and assistance in obtaining alternative employment. FÁS has also informed the company that its full range of services will be made available to those being made redundant. Enterprise Ireland, in conjunction with Fingal County Enterprise Board, is organising an enterprise day on Wednesday 29 October 2003 in the Draíocht arts theatre in the Blanchardstown Centre. This will be a high profile event to promote enterprise job creation in the Blanchardstown area.
IDA Ireland's strategy for the West Dublin area is to attract and encourage expansion of foreign direct investment projects, moving up the value chain while doing so. In this regard, I was pleased with the announcement in September, by eBay and its associated company PayPal, that they will locate their new European business centres at Blanchardstown. The investment will create up to 800 new jobs by 2005, with recruitment already under way for the PayPal operations.
Swords Laboratories Limited, a pharmaceutical facility located at Cruiserath, Blanchardstown, is currently being commissioned. It is projected that 500 staff will be employed at the facility when full production commences. Recruitment is now under way, with 90 positions already filled.
I wish to assure Deputy Burton, that the State agencies, under the auspices of my Department, will continue to work closely in the interests of developing the west Dublin area.