Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2013
124. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps taken by his Department, or relevant State agency, to safeguard the jobs and production at the Diageo site in County Waterford. [18017/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra125. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total investment of public moneys in the Diageo site in County Waterford; and if he will confirm if any claw back clauses will be enacted if the site is closed. [18018/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra126. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps taken by his Department, or relevant State agency to promote the Diageo site in County Waterford for future investment if the company ends production at the site. [18019/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 124 to 126, inclusive, together.
I understand from Enterprise Ireland that the Waterford brewery will close at the end of this year with the loss of 21 jobs and that they are working with Diageo in terms of finding a replacement industry for the site. In this respect, I understand that a number of potential investments are being actively considered and I am hopeful that any new investment will safeguard employment at the site.
I am very conscious of the concern that the proposed job losses will create for the workers involved and the local community. It is very important that the impact of the site’s closure on employment in Waterford is minimised and the State enterprise agencies will make every effort that they can to develop new employment opportunities for Waterford and to support the retention of existing jobs there.
Diageo Waterford received one grant package from Enterprise Ireland for capital equipment, totalling €800,000 which was approved in 2002. There is no grant liability and no claw-back clauses relating to this grant.
