Fine Gael Kildare South TD Martin Heydon has today (Wednesday) called on Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell O’Connor to ensure that the full supports of the state, including access to the European Globalisation Fund are available for the staff of HP Inc who were informed of job losses at the plant today. Deputy Heydon was speaking during a topical issue in the Dail.
“I was pleased to receive reassurance from the Minister that she has already asked Education Minister Richard Bruton to examine the possibility of an application under the European Globalisation Fund which could provide supports in terms of training, further education of career guidance for the affected employees.
“We have a strong and skilled work force in Co. Kildare and I want the clear message to go out that Kildare is open for business with a talented workforce that makes our County an attractive proposition for any potential employers.
“While this is a bad week for jobs in Kildare, we have a unique opportunity to make history as members of the Kildare North and Kildare South Chambers of Commerce are meeting in EGM’s this week to vote on a merger to create a County wide chamber to support businesses all over Co. Kildare. I call on members of both of the chambers meeting this week to embrace this opportunity and support this merger to build a stronger combined chamber for the businesses of Co. Kildare.