Tánaiste Optimistic of New Investor for Oxford Health Plans Facility

Tánaiste Mary Harney, said today (Thursday, 7th October, 1999) that she was extremely disappointed by the announcement from Oxford Health Plans that they were closing their operations in Mullingar with the loss of 135 jobs.

"I met with representatives of the company yesterday and they made it clear that Oxford Health Plans needs to continue its internal restructuring in the US to recover its business and cope with the ongoing decline and loss making they have been experiencing over recent times. Nonetheless the speed at which this announcement had been made is clearly a shock to all the employees in the company."

"The company has assured me that it will give every support, including outplacement assistance, to its workforce to find alternative employment and has offered an exit pay package to the workers to allow time for new employment to be secured".

IDA Ireland confirmed that Oxford Health Plans is committed to meeting all its liabilities to IDA Ireland and will give every support and assistance in finding an alternative business for the facility in Mullingar.

The Tánaiste said that, in this context, IDA Ireland is actively working with a potential investor to acquire the Mullingar facility for a new international services operation. "I am optimistic that these talks will conclude successfully in the coming weeks", she added.