Coughlan dithers on globalisation fund application
She took her time getting down to Limerick following the announcement that Dell were to cut 1,900 jobs in Limerick, and now, it seems, that Enterprise Trade and Employment minister Mary Coughlan is doing the same while getting an application for the EUs Globalisation Solidarity Fund.
From Jan O’Sullivan:
‘I have raised this issue on a number of occasions in the Dail over the last two weeks only to be informed by the Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment Mary Coughlan T.D. that the Government can only apply for funding under the EU Globalisation fund once redundancy notices have been issued to employees.
However I have met many workers from Dell in my constituency clinics recently who have informed me that they have received written confirmation of their respective redundancy notices. This fund is specifically designed to help retrain and up-skill workers who are losing their jobs to other countries due to Globalisation. The EU makes up to €500 million available on annual basis to assist member states and more importantly there is no maximum amount that a Country can apply for with the applicant Country matching the funding granted.
Given the devastating affect in terms of job losses throughout Limerick and the Mid-west region arising from Dell’s decision to cease manufacturing it is imperative that our Government apply for significant funding under this EU scheme. Countries such as Italy have successfully received funding for regions that have suffered major job losses and have begun retraining their workers.
I am now calling on Minister Coughlan to stop Shilly – Shollying as workers in Limerick head face uncertain and worrying times and apply immediately for this funding so that we can immediately start arranging appropriate retraining courses and programmes so that those workers affected can develop new skills and improve their prospects of new employment opportunities.
The fund of €500m was established to assist regions which have suffered as the result of job losses of 1,000 people or more. If applied for, Limerick could benefit to the tune of €10mto fund upskilling and retraining of redundant workers.