Louth's McGreehan raises plight of Glen Dimplex workers in Dáíl

While the closure of Glen Dimplex in Dunleer in October this year with the loss of 70 jobs, is a devastating blow to workers and the area, the company is not abandoning the site, but planning to modernise it, with a view to future employment there.
This has been relayed to Louth Deputy, Erin McGreehan, in a reply to a query she submitted to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke.

Deputy McGreehan said that she was contacted by employees after the recent announcement of the plant’s closure. She had already been in contact with representatives of the Glen Dimplex management, and felt it was necessary to raise this highly important issue in the Dáil.

She was told that the closure was down to “restructuring and cost bases of the products they were making”. In addition, there’s been a global downturn in the demand for products. As a follow up, Deputy McGreehan submitted a query to Minister, and in his reply, Peter Burke said his Department had not “to date received a statutory redundancy notification in relation to these proposed job losses”.

He continued: “My thoughts are with the workers and families that will be impacted. It is important to note that there is a robust suite of employment redundancy notification in relation to these proposed job losses. Government will also ensure that every assistance will be provided to the employees facing redundancy to find alternative employment, including through services that are available from the Department of Social Protection and the Louth and Meath Education and Training Board.”

In relation to future plans, Minister Burke said that he welcomed that Glen Dimplex has indicated that it remains committed to making a significant investment in its facilities at Dunleer, and to the future employment in the town.

“Enterprise Ireland is working with the company on measures that can help to sustain employment at it facilities in Ireland, and is actively examining a range of options to support the modernisation and repurposing of the Dunleer facility. Enterprise Ireland will continue to work closely with the company to support its ongoing development with a specific focus on future proofing the Dunleer facility to sustain future employment at the site.”

Deputy McGreehan has welcomed the Minister’s response. “I hope the workers can take encouragement from what he has to say. If there’s to be a new enterprise at the facility, I think re-employing Glen Dimplex workers should be a priority. Of immediate concern, however, is that the redundancy issue is resolved to the workers’ satisfaction.”