THE Minister of State for Commerce, Science and Technology said yesterday he would be putting the interim report of the Tallaght Task Force before the Cabinet, and was confident it would get full support.
Mr Pat Rabbitte described the report of the task force, set up after the Packard Electric collapse a month ago, as a "very impressive package" with a lot of very high calibre recommendations.
He said he wanted to see new owners for the plant and to have as many jobs as possible created in Tallaght. Some very useful work had been done by the local chamber of commerce and 500 jobs would be coming on stream. While he was not saying Packard [people would get all of these jobs, at least some of them could be employed.
Mr Kieran McGowan, IDA managing director, said Tallaght was being given priority and he was confident it would be able to get some companies to set up there. Its discussions with Packard about an alternative use for the building were "positive and constructive.
The task force report strongly emphasises education and retraining, and the finding of are placement industry or industries.
It recommends FAS provides a designated job placement team for Packard workers, linking retraining, job opportunities, job skills and requirements, and training opportunities.
An enterprise fund should be established to provide grants and interest free loans to Packard workers starting their own businesses, it says.
The Minister for Education, Ms Breathnach, announced yesterday the County Dublin VEC had allocated an additional 115 vocational training opportunity scheme places, 100 of which are to cater exclusively for former Packard workers.