Thousands of ex-Dell workers could benefit from €20m EU fund

TWO thousand Dell workers and thousands of others who will also lose their jobs as a result of the computer giant’s move from Limerick to Poland could benefit from a €20 million EU fund to help them retrain and develop new skills.

The announcement came yesterday after EU Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, Vladimir Spidla met with workers set to lose their jobs during a visit to Limerick.

While Mr Spidla would not specify an amount, he said the application for the money from the European Globalisation Fund would be processed as quickly as possible, hopefully within weeks.

The Government, however, will be obliged to contribute in excess of €7m.

Mr Spidla said: “It’s crucial we remember the crisis is not just lots of numbers thrown at us, but every job lost is a person and their family suffering, who are worried about today and the future.

“It’s important not to forget that. It’s tough for everyone here and all together, from the local to European level, we need to take co-ordinated, quick and decisive actions to improve the situation. That means helping people in work stay in work and helping those who have lost their jobs get back into work as quickly as possible.”

The commissioner’s visit was referred to in a story in the European Voice newspaper, which said he should avoid Limerick due to what it said was its gangland reputation.

However, Commissioner Spidla said he was delighted to come to Limerick and meet with so many different groups.

He said: “Many people in Limerick have been involved preparing my visit and have made themselves available to meet with me and my team. I am very grateful to them.”

During his visit, Commissioner Spidla visited Moyross, where he met with Mayor Kevin Kiely, the head of the city’s two regeneration agencies, Brendan Kenny, and the young people taking part in a Fás programme.