Avant Card Job Losses Huge Blow To Carrick

It is with great sadness and disappointment that I have learned this evening (Monday) that 35 jobs are to be lost at the Avant Card facility in Carrick on Shannon. There are currently 165 workers at the centre but the job losses are coming as a result of a reduction in credit card business for the company. It is a huge blow to the people involved and their families and to the economic life of the area and I am calling on the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to be aggressive and pro-active in their search for alternative employment for these people. I also believe that the IDA and Enterprise Ireland have been aware of difficulties at this firm for some time.