Ex-Enterprise Ireland Boss to Aid Quinn Workers

Quinn Insurance workers facing redundancy are to receive assistance in the form of a former chief of Enterprise Ireland. Dan Flinter is to head up an inter-agency team being set up to aid those workers whose jobs have been lost. The Irish Government is also examining the possibility of drawing down European Union funding under a cross-border scheme for training initiatives and business supports. One million euro is being set aside from a special Government labour programme to help the workers facing lay-offs.

The inter-agency team will co-ordinate the activities of Enterprise Ireland, FAS, IDA Ireland, relevant County Enterprise Boards, the Department of Social Protection, and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation.

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe said: "Mr Flinter has played a key role in the development of Irish industrial policy and his calibre and expertise will be significant assets in our efforts to meet the needs of workers in Quinn Insurance who are losing their jobs."

The minister also said he had been in touch with Northern Ireland counterpart Arlene Foster MLA about drawing down European Union funding under the cross-border Interreg Programme which will allow for training initiatives and start-up business supports in the affected areas.