IN response to a perceived lack of political action to help save Flynn’s Fine Foods of Roslea, Arlene Foster and her department have hit back in the wake of criticism.
After the closure of the Fermanagh based business almost two weeks ago employees vented their frustrations over the government’s role in the company.
When contacted by the Herald to explain what actions were taken to save the company Mrs Foster and her department explained that work had gone on to prevent the regrettable closure.
A Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment (DETI) spokesman said: “The downturn has affected Flynn Foods, like many others, and despite working with Invest NI over the past twelve months to try and address the current difficulties, unfortunately the company took the decision to close.
“It is deeply regrettable that the company were unable to find a solution to the challenges that they were facing and our sympathies are with the individual workers who have been made redundant.
“In order to help provide support during this difficult time, an Invest Northern Ireland representative attended Fermanagh Council’s redundancy clinic in Roslea on Friday to help the people affected find alternative employment.”
Despite the criticism levelled against the department and Invest, the have claimed that much is being done in the county to promote local business.
“Invest NI is working with the wider business base in Northern Ireland and has put in place measures to grow business activity through jobs, export, research and development, technology, and skills. Last year, Invest NI offered £1.5million of support to businesses in the Fermanagh District Council Area which resulted in over £6.6million of investment commitments and the promotion of 150 new jobs, including 61 jobs created through the Jobs Fund.
“During this time, businesses and individuals in the area made almost 300 enquiries to Invest NI’s Boosting Business helpline. 87 delegates also attended Fermanagh based events, seminars and workshops covering exporting, recruitment, energy efficiency and renewable energy in the past 12 months.
“Invest NI has also been working closely with Fermanagh District Council to develop programmes under the Local Economic Development measure to support local businesses to overcome current difficult economic conditions and contribute directly to their growth and to the vibrancy of the local business base.
Six LED projects have secured approval to date, representing a total investment of over £1.1m with grant support of £765,000 from Invest NI, part financed from the European Regional Development Fund. A further two projects are currently being assessed for support, one of which focuses on the Roslea area.”
In response to claims from company representatives that they had requested meetings and assistance the spokesman added: “The DETI Minister always accommodates company visits and meetings when her diary permits, however the company made no request to meet the Minister in the last 24 months.”
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