To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 5931/22-27, for an update on the cross Executive and local government response following the announcement in February 2024 that Glen Dimplex, Portadown, is to close in 2025.

Following the announcement by Glen Dimplex, Invest NI is working closely with the company’s Senior Management team to secure the best outcome for the North of Ireland operation and staff impacted. The company is also working with both Union Representatives and Salaried Worker Representatives as it enters a consultation period

The Invest NI team works with the company at both an operational and strategic level. Invest NI is coordinating a cross Executive and local government response to support affected employees at this time. This team will include representatives from both my Department and Invest NI, as well as other stakeholders include 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 workers with redeployment and/or reskilling. 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. In addition Invest NI will, through its client engagement, identify and promote job opportunities from the local area to work towards a positive 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.

Careers Advisers have access to up-to-date labour market information, which they use with clients to advise on how to transfer existing skills and experience to current job opportunities and to inform careers guidance discussions about opportunities for reskilling, training, apprenticeships or in further and higher education.