Minister pledges action on job creation for town

ENTERPRISE Minister Micheál Martin has promised that Dungarvan will be made a priority area for job creation.

With the loss of almost 400 jobs when Waterford Crystal’s plant closes at the end of the month, Mr Martin delivered specific promises after meeting with business and trade union interests.

The minister also promised to improve infrastructure to attract investment there.

Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union regional director Walter Cullen said Mr Martin will be judged by performance rather than promises.

“We are happy the minister has given the commitment that he has, but the proof of it will be when we see new factories setting up in Dungarvan,” he said.

The Waterford Crystal plant will close on Friday week but negotiations regarding the deployment of a number of staff to the headquarters plant in Waterford city have not been finalised.

Meanwhile, Mr Martin believes Waterford Institute of Technology has become a hub for third-level research, playing a key role in the future development of the city and county.

After officially opening the Waterford Crystal Centre for Marketing Studies at the School of Business in WIT, the minister commended the college on its drive and innovation.

Postgraduate researchers at the centre - formed through a partnership between Waterford Crystal and the institute’s School of Business - examine issues such as branding, corporate reputation and marketing capability strategy.

“We need to develop far greater capacity for research and innovation, especially with industry links, said the minister. “We must step up the level of investment in this area if we are to continue to compete globally.

“The Waterford Institute has been very successful in competing for research funds at both a national and EU level. The partnership with Waterford Crystal that underpins this centre makes it a model for how to proceed.

“Ireland needs to have a strong international presence and, to achieve this, deficiencies in sales and marketing need to be tackled and these have been highlighted by the Enterprise Strategy Group chaired by Eoin O’Driscoll in their report to me.

“This centre can contribute to meeting overall national needs for these professional skills and, as such, it dovetails neatly with the national Government agenda.”