Tánaiste Welcomes EU Parliamentary Approval of Irish European Globalisation Fund Application

The Tánaiste, Ms. Mary Coughlan, T.D. today (25^th November 2009) welcomed the decision that the European Parliament meeting in Plenary Session today in Strasbourg had approved Ireland’s application under the European Globalisation Fund in support of active labour market measures for redundant workers at DELL and ancillary companies. The European Commission had already approved the Irish application in September.

The Tánaiste stressed that the making and progressing of this application up to this point has included close co-operation and consultation by the Government with the European Commission culminating in President Barroso’s announcement in Limerick in September of the Commission’s approval of Ireland’s application.

She said “While there are still some formalities to be observed and the Government remains to be contacted formally by the European budgetary authorities, today’s positive vote by the Parliament is very welcome. This is Ireland’s first EGF application and major effort has gone into its preparation and progression throughout the co-decision process both by Government and the relevant State agencies and other bodies involved”.

She added “Contrary to remarks made in the media today considerable preparatory work has already been undertaken in anticipation of a successful outcome and structures are in place to ensure that EGF funding, when received by Ireland, can and will be effectively and efficiently spent on retraining, upskilling and providing educational and entrepreneurial supports for almost 2,500 redundant workers in the Mid West”.

All relevant State agencies and educational institutions in the Mid West have been involved with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in designing tailored programmes in their areas of expertise. Since the first announcement of the DELL redundancies in January 2009 occupational guidance, training and advisory supports have been, and continue to be, provided to the relevant redundant workers by FAS, Enterprise Ireland, the City and County Enterprise Boards and local Vocational Education Committees. Furthermore, a number of the workers have already enrolled on further and third level educational courses in the Mid West and the Irish EGF application has been structured to cover the costs of such educational supports. A number of additional measures are being considered by the Department and relevant agencies in areas such as entrepreneurial supports and work placement schemes.

The Tánaiste stated “At a total of €22.8m in funding this will be the largest EGF application to be supported with a significant co-financing element of €8m being provided by Government. It is testament to the emphasis given at both national and EU levels to providing relevant supports for those made redundant due to the adverse effects of globalisation and of the significant work undertaken to ensure the most appropriate range of measures are provided through EGF co-financing”.

Ireland has to date made a second EGF application on behalf of redundant workers at the Waterford Crystal plant in Kilbarry, Co. Waterford and is finalising a provisional application submitted to Brussels last month in relation to redundancies at the S R Technics facility at Dublin Airport.

ENDS\ETE2140