Tánaiste Responds to Recent Job Loss Announcement

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Mary Harney, this evening (Thursday 14 June, 2001) expressed her disappointment and concern at the announcement from the US that the Xerox Corporation is to get out of the small office/home office business segment, a move which will mean the company will discontinue the manufacture of personal inkjet and xerographic products.

The Tánaiste said "It is clear from the company’s statement that this move was prompted by a decline in recent times in the market for inkjet which has resulted in significant first quarter losses for the company in this sector. In the circumstances, it seems that the announcement comes as the result of some tough and strategic business decisions which the company has had to make to ensure future profitability."

The Tánaiste said "It is unclear what the impact of this decision will be on the company’s Irish operations but I am keeping in close touch with the situation. The IDA is involved in close discussions with Xerox, to maximise the potential for the Dundalk Campus from the other elements of the company’s business. Xerox has invested in excess of £300 million ( € 380.92m ) in Ireland in the past three years, with five facilities totalling 600,000 sq. ft. of quality space completed in Dundalk last year. Our objective now must be to ensure the best possible outcome for Dundalk from the other aspects of Xerox business world-wide and negotiations to this effect will continue in the coming days".

The Tánaiste said that her disappointment at today’s announcement was heightened by the fact that it comes hard on the heels of news of jobs losses announced yesterday in Wexford Weaving and earlier today in the Stafford Miller plant in Dungarvan in Waterford.

"The job losses in the South-east are a particular blow as I recognise that it is a part of the country that has not fared as well as some others in terms of the attraction of new industry, either indigenous or from overseas. The Government is determined to redouble its efforts to secure new investment for such regional locations. Indeed, only this afternoon, I attended a function to support Enterprise Ireland’s "Into the Regions" initiative which is aimed at attracting indigenous companies to consider expansion of their business into locations outside the main urban areas. I have already asked the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to prioritise their efforts in this regard."

"I have also asked the relevant State agencies to prepare a coordinated response to ensure that every effort and support is provided for those who have lost their jobs as a result of recent announcements. The priority must be to find alternative employment and our response must be focussed and determined in this regard," the Tánaiste concluded.