THE EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities has said the commission is “ready to use all means possible” to help Ireland following the closure of Dell in Limerick.
The computer company announced it would close down earlier this month and move its operations to Poland with the direct loss of 1,900 jobs.
Commissioner Vladimir Spidla met Irish MEPs last night to discuss an application from the Government to the European Global Adjustment Fund (EGAF) for money to assist in retraining those who will lose their jobs in Dell. Mr Spidla said he was acutely aware of the problems facing Limerick following the announcement.
He told MEPs that all parties and groups affected by the decision should be brought together in an effort to see the best way to respond to the “terrible developments”.
He said the Government could apply for funding not only under EGAF, but might also qualify for some money from the European Social Fund. And he said the commission was waiting for an application for a financial package from the Irish Government.
Leader of the Fianna Fáil group, MEP Brian Crowley said the meeting was very positive.
“Commissioner Spidla strongly indicated in no uncertain terms that the European Commission will back a financial aid package for the Limerick region following the Dell decision over its Limerick operation,” he said.
He said EGAF has been in operation since 2007, and Italy had received €35 million from it following job losses, while Spain received €10.4 million.
Fine Gael group leader MEP Colm Burke said it as critical that workers about to be laid off by Dell could gain access to funds available from the EU. Earlier this week, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Mary Coughlan said the Government would seek funding from Europe to help retrain Dell workers.
