THE Tallaght Task Force has recommended a £2.4 million package to the compensate the area for loss of 800 jobs when the Packard Electric plant shut down in May last.

The final report was approved by the Minister for Commerce Science and Technology, Mr Rabbitte, on Wednesday. The report recommends the setting up of two enterprise centres costing £658,000; the granting of enterprise fund and SME supports of £345,000 and retraining and job placement measures costing £225,000.

Mr Rabbitte said almost £1.4 million of the total cost would come from the public purse. The task force secured £1.064 million from private sector contributors, mostly local businesses. Sources said this indicated a considerable commitment by the businesses involved.

The main cost items were the two enterprise centres (£658,000), enterprise fund/small business support (£345,000) and retraining/education and job placement (£225,000).

The Minister hoped the implementation of the recommendations would "help to restore hope and confidence among former Packard workers and in the local economy".

The task force was chaired by Mr Dan Tierney, chairman and chief executive of Cross Chemicals. The report said that a commitment has been secured from the company to assist IDA Ireland in promoting Packard's vacant factory and to assist in its, sale. The plant has already been viewed by a number of "major" clients", it said.

The report said that 368 Packard workers participated in one to one counselling interviews, but only a small number of the 345 workers who had been laid off before the closure announcement responded. The task force believed that many were now working elsewhere. Also, 500 job opportunities have been identified in the local economy, auguring well for the Packard workers. A dedicated local FAS service was also in place.

A series of proposals of the task force, which support local business initiatives, were being implemented, including the provision of the two new enterprise centres.