AQW 5931/22-27

Mr Eóin Tennyson
Alliance Party
Upper Bann

Tabled Date: 08/02/2024
Answered On Date: 20/02/2024
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy what support his Department can provide to employees of Glen Dimplex following the announcement that the Portadown site will close in 2025.

Answer:

Following the recent announcement from Glen Dimplex, Invest NI has been co-ordinating a cross Executive and local government response to support affected employees. This team will include representatives from both my Department and Invest NI, as well as; Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council; NI Chamber; Trade Unions; Manufacturing NI; and the local community. This will ensure that appropriate and timely assistance is available to support employees. This support is likely to include redundancy clinics, promotion of re-skilling/training opportunities (including Academies), job fairs and identification of job opportunities from across the local industry base. Invest NI will pro-actively, through its client engagement, identify and promote job opportunities from the local area to work towards the best possible outcome.

In addition, my Department’s Careers Service works closely with the Department for the Communities to support anyone facing redundancy or who has been made unemployed. Careers Advisers will be available to provide the employees of Glen Dimplex with personalised professional information, advice and guidance on other local employment, training and education opportunities.

I understand that this will be a very difficult and uncertain time for the Glen Dimplex employees and so my officials will ensure that the employer is aware of the help that is available, with personalised support offered to anyone who wishes to discuss their future career.