Denis Naughten
Ceist:175. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will visit Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34521/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 10 November 2020
Ceisteanna (175, 176)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:176. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to replace the job losses at a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34522/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
I was disappointed to learn of the decision by Aptar to close its facility in Ballinasloe. My primary concern, as I have said before, is for the workers and families who have been impacted by this decision. Many of these workers have been with the company for many years. The Government is doing everything it can to help them transition and find new employment opportunities.
Now that the decision has been taken to close the facility, the IDA is working closely with the company to market the plant to potential investors. The IDA has introduced a number of companies who are interested in the Ballinasloe facility to Aptar management team and has also arranged visits to the site. These discussions are ongoing. In the meantime, IDA Ireland continues to market the site to both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland clients.
The IDA is in regular contact with the company and I understand they spoke with management last Friday 6 November to discuss the winddown of the facility. I am told that there are currently 19 staff still employed at the site and that at least 60 former staff have already found similar employment in the region. The IDA Regional team has connected employees of Aptar with the local Intreo office as well as the Education and Training Board, Local Enterprise Office, Regional Skills Forum West and the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board.
While the announcement of job losses at Aptar is very disappointing, I want to assure you that the Government and its agencies are working to create employment opportunities in the West and across all of our regions. Just last week, I was happy to announce the creation of 200 new highly skilled jobs in Galway, which will be created by IDA client company, Diligent. However, I note the Deputy is keen to attract new investment to Ballinasloe in particular.
While the period ahead may prove challenging, securing new foreign direct investment for our regions is a priority for this Government.