Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed today’s approval by the European Commission of the European Globalisation fund for the former Andersen Ireland workers in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick.
Patrick O’Donovan acknowledged the roles of Ministers Jan O’Sullivan and Damien English in securing the funding, which is aimed at retraining the staff of the former Andersen plant, and assisting them in finding alternative employment in their communities. The news from the EU comes just weeks after a local committee, including Patrick O’Donovan, Cllr. Stephen Keary, Rathkeale native Brian McEnery, the Rathkeale Community Council and Limerick City and County Council had received the news that they had secured the former Andersen Plant for local employment initiatives in the West Limerick town.
Patrick O’Donovan said that news would be another positive step for the community as the fund has successfully been drawn down by the Government in a number of other locations including Waterford. Patrick O’Donovan said he was looking forward to Minister Damien English visiting Rathkeale in the near future to hear at first hand the work that is being done locally by the State and Local Agencies to provide badly needed employment in the area.