Neville welcomes new EGF application for jewellery manufacture workers in Rathkeale

Dan Neville TD and Chairman of Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, today (Monday 9th June) welcomed the launch at Rathkeale House Hotel, Co Limerick of the support for former employees of Andersen Ireland Ltd Jewellery Manufacturing Plant in Rathkeale Co Limerick under the European Globalisation adjustment Fund (EGF). The launch was made by Minister for Training and Skills, Ciaran Cannon TD. The scheme consists of a programme of guidance, training, education and enterprise support for over three hundred people from Rathkeale and the surrounding areas.

“The main cohort to be assisted is the workforce made redundant in Quarter 3 of 2013 from the Andersen Ireland Limited jewellery manufacturing plant in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, of whom almost 70% are female. The remaining cohort is made up of young persons under the age of 25 years in the same region, which has suffered considerable social and economic disadvantage, and who are not currently in education, training or employment.

“The latest EGF fund will run until 16 May 2016 and will include a wide ranging programme of occupational and career guidance, public and privately sourced training including EGF training grants, second and third level education courses, a contribution scheme to assist with the cost of participation in training and education, and enterprise supports for those seeking to set up their own business. Initial estimates by the Department of Education and Skills put the total cost of the programme at €2.5m should all of the funding be drawn down.

“The EGF has been a valuable fund for Ireland in assisting vulnerable workers made redundant by the adverse impacts of globalisation. Ireland has a good record in securing approval of its programmes and in our use of the fund to date. The Government looks forward to assisting many of the redundant workers at Andersen Ireland Ltd. and are committed to working to get the young, unemployed cohort back into the labour force as quickly as possible, with EGF support”.