As the 1,400 workers due to be laid off by Seagate Technology reassess their personal finances and future prospects, a range of existing and new agencies are getting to grips with the issues raised by the impending closure.
A normal production schedule is continuing this week at the Clonmel plant, which is to be wound down by mid-February, but the non-unionised workforce has already moved to create a representational structure through which it can make its voice heard in forthcoming discussions on the future of the plant and the aftermath of the closure.
The Seagate employees will today select one of their number to participate as a member of the Clonmel Task Force set up by the Tanaiste, Ms Harney.
The task force itself will have its first meeting with Seagate management tomorrow to assess the scale of the challenge facing it. Ms Harney has asked the body to make proposals, and advise her, on replacement industries, on steps to assist local suppliers and sub-contractors who are facing loss of business, and on assisting Seagate workers in areas such as job search, retraining and career change.
Meanwhile, according to a spokesman, the IDA has "gone into top gear" reviewing all of the new industrial businesses lining up to locate in Ireland and identifying those operations which might be appropriate to take over the Clonmel site.
The organisation expects a rapid response from Seagate to its request that terms should be agreed urgently for the sale and disposal of the Clonmel factory and its 55-acre site above the town. This is seen as essential, because the IDA expects to have a series of potential new investors looking at the premises early in the new year.
A policy aspect which is also under intensive review is whether the aim should be to favour one major replacement industry, or a number of smaller ones to take over the Seagate factory.
An ad-hoc group of local civic and county representatives will have a second meeting with Seagate management this morning on the impact of the closure.
SIPTU officers, including the union's president, Mr Jimmy Somers, met worker representatives in Clonmel at the weekend and agreed to provide certain support services for them in their negotiations with management, Government and Government agencies.
Specifically, it is understood that the Irish Trade Union Trust will offer its services.
Meanwhile, concern has grown in the west Waterford region over the impact there of the Seagate closure decision. Clonmel is located on the border of counties Tipperary and Waterford, and according to one estimate, about 300 of the Seagate employees actually live in west Waterford.