Enterprise Support Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

Ceisteanna (274)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

274. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will encourage the employment agencies of the State to proactively engage with the private and community enterprises across County Donegal in textile and other sectors to develop their potential to continue to manufacture personal protective equipment, hospital scrubs and other health service garments and to sustain this supply chain into the future. [9784/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

Since March of this year, Enterprise Ireland’s Strategic Sourcing staff have been working tirelessly with public health officials and companies throughout the country to increase the supply of a whole range of personal protective equipment (PPE). As part of this, the agency has connected both clients and non-client Irish companies with capability to produce hand sanitiser/PPE with the HSE from across the country, including from Donegal.

This engagement has resulted in numerous Irish companies pivoting their product lines to supply PPE, responding to a national need, while turning a challenging environment into one of opportunity.

In the context of the clothing/textile industry in general in Donegal, the Local Enterprise Offices remain available to work with firms and other organisations involved in the sector.