A EUROPEAN Parliamentary vote in favour of a new EU fund for up to 300 unemployed people in Rathkeale, including former jewellery workers, has been welcomed by MEP for Limerick and Ireland South, Sean Kelly.
Mr Kelly said an overwhelming majority of MEPs voted in favour of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) provision at the Parliament’s plenary session last Thursday.
“This is another important step forward for the application made by the Department of Education and Skills for a programme of guidance, training, education and enterprise supports for persons in West Limerick under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF), which the EU will co-finance,” he continued.
The Fine Gael MEP explained that the main group to be assisted comprises the workforce made redundant from the Andersen Ireland Limited jewellery manufacturing plant in Rathkeale, County Limerick, in 2013. In addition to the 171 redundancies, up to 138 young people in the region, under the age of 25 years, who are not currently in education, training or employment will also benefit.
“Once the funding is fully approved by the EU Council, it will run until May 2016 covering career guidance, training, second and third level education courses and enterprise supports for those seeking to set up their own business. The overall scheme could be valued at a total of €2.5 million,” MEP Kelly added.
Since 2009, some 9,700 persons have been assisted through the EGF in Ireland.
