Tánaiste keeps up contact with Dell

TÁNAISTE Mary Coughlan said yesterday she is in constant contact with Dell in the US and Limerick amid speculation that the company may sell its Limerick plant along with the eight other manufacturing facilities around the world.

The sell-off is part of a new strategy drawn up to outsource manufacturing to cut costs.

The Tánaiste said she is keeping up this contact with the company through the IDA.

Ms Coughlan, who was in Limerick to announce 200 new industrial jobs at Cook Medical, said the Government was aware that Dell were conducting a global review of their operations and no decision had been made by the company yet.

“It is important to say that no decision has been made by the company and moreover it is important to say that IDA have been in constant contact with the company in the USA and here. It is appropriate to leave it at that and I would not add to any speculation.

“I am aware of a decision made by Michael Dell previously, where everything is being considered from what I can ascertain. It is important to say to the people of Limerick and the mid-west that no decision has been made,” the minister said.

Dell employs 3,000 at its plant in the Raheen industrial estate and a further 1,300 in Dublin.

Falling profits has led to a major review of the companies worldwide operation.

The company is now planning to get outside companies to make their computer products, according to media reports in the US.