McEllistrim expresses his dismay at Beru job losses

Kerry North TD Thomas McEllistrim has expressed his dismay that local electronics company Beru is to let another 80 staff go. It follows the loss of a further 40 jobs from the Tralee based firm earlier in the year.

“I’m deeply disappointed that Beru has taken this move and that 80 people are going to lose their job,” said Deputy McEllistrim. “This is a huge blow to everyone involved in Beru and for Tralee in general. My deepest sympathies go all the employees at the plant as well as their family and friends in this very difficult time.”

“Our focus now has to be on two immediate goals. The first is to secure the remaining 120 jobs at the company. To that end I will be pushing for the IDA to redouble their efforts and to immediately meet with the Beru management to see what can be done to ensure the long term sustainability of the Tralee facility.”

“We also need to work on securing more investment for Tralee. Only through more investment will we secure new jobs for the people made redundant by this announcement and for all the other people who are having difficulty securing employment in Tralee. There simply aren’t enough job opportunities in the area at the moment and the IDA and Enterprise Ireland need to do more to change that.”

“We also need to put in place training programmes for the workers who are being made redundant. I have already been in touch with the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan to ensure FÁS and the other relevant state agencies are put at the disposal of the workers and that training programmes are put in place for them at the earliest opportunity,” Deputy McEllistrim concluded.