This article is from page 54 of the 2009-07-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 54 JPG
THE multi-million euro retraining package for Dell workers and com- panies affected by the 2,000 layoffs at the computer company could be in place before the end of the month.
European Commissioner for Em- ployment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimir Spidla, con- firmed in an official visit to Shannon and Limerick last Friday that the proposal was being fast-tracked by the EU Commission.
Spidla, who was accompanied on much of his trip by An Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, also announced that the total funding applied for from the European Globalisation Fund could run into more than €20 million.
As well as meeting with Dell em- ployees in Limerick, the Czech com- missioner also toured the FAS train- ing centre in Shannon, where some of the proposed retraining funds could be invested. There he met with representatives from IDA, Enterprise Ireland, FAS and Shannon Develop- ment.
“T can’t tell you yet what the out- come of this application is. But I am committed to processing this ap- plication as quickly as possible,” he said.
‘And as I’ve said before, as long as the application meets the criteria set out in the regulations, we will look at it favourably.”
Commissioner Spidla also visited the Moyross area of Limerick as part
of his tour.
“We are committed to making our societies more inclusive, and helping everyone into work and out of tough situations, in particular the most vul- nerable,’ he said.
‘I know the situation in Moyross is tough. Getting a better understand- ing of the situation right here, on
the ground, will inform my thinking when, with my colleagues in Brus- sels, we’re working on what are the best ways out of the crisis. I deal not only with employment issues, but so- cial issues too.
“We are striving not only to get people back into work, but also to improve housing, access to education
and provide specific help for vulne- ble groups such as young people.”