Patrick O’Donovan TD has welcomed the news that the European Globalisation Fund office in Rathkeale will open in January and he said that progress is being made on the delivery of European Globalisation Fund following the closure of the Andersen Ireland factory in the town. He was speaking after a meeting with officials from SOLAS, the Department of Education and Skills and EGF which was chaired by the Minister of State for Education, Damien English TD.
At the meeting a report was given on the progress being made in the delivery of the fund to those who effected. It was reported that up to 400 people in total from the West Limerick area will benefit from a range of supports that the Fund puts in place. After the meeting Patrick O’Donovan said that he was happy to see progress was being made with EGF and that people locally are being dealt with.
“I said from the start of the process that the delivery of the fund should happen locally and that’s why I feel that having an office locally in Rathkeale where people can drop into is important. There are a huge range of supports available under EGF and it is vital that people who were impacted by the closure of Andersen would engage with the EGF so that they can get the best advice and assistance.”
Patrick O’Donovan added that having the Andersen plant in public ownership was also critical for the local community. “I worked closely with the local community, Councillor Stephen Keary, Brian McEnery and Innovate Limerick to ensure that the plant could be bought for the local community and this has also been done. So having both the EGF fund in place and the ownership of the plant secured are vital for the town of Rathkeale and the wider West Limerick region and both will help to recover the area following the devastating closure of Andersen.”
Patrick O’Donovan has invited Minister Damien English to visit the area after Christmas to meet the EGF staff and the former Andersen employees who have engaged with EGF and he has agreed to do so.