Carrickmacross job losses
Deputy Smyth raised redundancies in Carrickmacross at Kerry Foods and asked for ministerial intervention. The Taoiseach said he would raise the matter with the relevant Ministers and support those facing redundancy.
On page 41 of the programme for Government, there is a commitment "to deliver sustainable full employment". Mention is also made of jobs outside Dublin. In 2015, the Bose factory in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, closed with the loss of 140 jobs. This morning, Carrickmacross has suffered another devastating blow with 31 forced redundancies at Kerry Foods. Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys, to engage with this situation immediately? The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection could also ensure that everything is done for those workers who are about to lose their jobs in the coming weeks.
Comment on this
My apologies. Regarding the last question, the MSD jobs will be in Swords, but the MSD investment in Carlow is a separate announcement that was just approved by the Government this morning. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, will confirm that at a later stage.
Regarding the job losses that Deputy Smyth mentioned, obviously the Government has enormous concern for anyone who is facing redundancy. I certainly will take it up with both Ministers. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, to ensure that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection goes there and advises people as to what their rights are in terms of redundancy, replacement payments and retraining options, and the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, to work with the local authorities and national agencies to ensure that alternative jobs can be found for those areas.