We have worrying news from Arklow this morning. The Merck Life Sciences plant, which is located in the town, is scheduled to close in 2028. About 100 employes are impacted. I have been speaking with the company. There will be efforts to redeploy. Until now, Merck has been a very good employer. I know many of the people who are working there. It is critical, and I would like assurances, that every support will be given to those workers. Some will have to redeploy but I refer also to any necessary upskilling and retraining. I also call for us to seek a fresh plant for the site on the Vale Road. Arklow has a long and proud tradition in chemicals and pharmaceuticals. It is a vital sector for Irish society, so it is important that we can find a replacement plant there to provide high-value employment in Arklow as soon as possible.

I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very sad and challenging situation for Arklow and those working in the Merck Life Sciences plant. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, and ensure the IDA and Enterprise Ireland respond - what normally happens now is that they do respond - and that each employee is engaged with in terms of their own individual choices regarding redeployment or alternative employment. That is important. I have witnessed it before where something can be created out of this, positively, I hope, in terms of future employment or creation of SMEs or smaller companies, but also then a replacement industry. It is an important facility that has potential. If an alternative company can be attracted into that facility, that would be very desirable. We will talk to IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland about that. The Department of Social Protection will also reach out to workers.