Reprieve for Quinn Insurance jobs in Enniskillen

Seventy-five Quinn Insurance jobs in Enniskillen have won a reprieve, it was revealed today.

Growing levels of business in car cover at the Co Fermanagh site were credited after planned redundancies were called off, a spokesman for an administrator in charge of the business said.

The administrator has taken over control of the company after the Irish financial regulator demanded more money be made available to cover its customers.

A spokesman for administrators Grant Thornton said: "Quinn Insurance Limited (under administration) has announced that proposed redundancies in its consumer sales private lines division based in Enniskillen will not now take place.

"This is a result of strong customer retention, the acquisition of new business above previous projections and an increase in natural attrition in the private lines division.

"The improvement in Quinn Insurance's business performance since the announcement of its redundancy programme on April 30 last has led to a position where the business cannot proceed with further redundancies in private lines Enniskillen."

Speaking to employees earlier today, Michael McAteer, joint administrator, paid tribute to staff's ongoing professionalism.

He said this was reflected in the fact that customers were continuing to place and retain their business with the company.

The North's Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "My department and Invest NI remain committed to safeguarding the employment and investment by Quinn Insurance in Northern Ireland in the longer term.

"We will continue to build our relationship with the administrator and any potential new owners to reinforce the strong capabilities of the Enniskillen site."

SDLP Assembly member Tommy Gallagher said it was helpful, welcome and good news for the 75 employees under stress awaiting confirmation of whether or not their jobs remained in place.

"It is a huge relief for these workers and their families, as well as being positive for business in Fermanagh and the local economy," he said.

"I would like to pay tribute to all those involved in securing the retention of these posts."