Tánaiste Simon Harris will discuss the loss of 132 jobs at Leprino in Portlaoise with a Minister after Laois TD Brian Stanley claimed the IDA has a ‘blind spot’ in relation to Laois.
Deputy Stanley said “IDA Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment seem to have a blind spot when it comes to County Laois”.
He described the IDA’s performance in Laois as ‘dismal’. “There are just 156 IDA Ireland-backed jobs in the county. More than 12,000 workers commute out of the county every morning,” said Dep Stanley.
“The Leprino cheese factory, which has only been there for three years, is due to close very shortly, with the loss of 132 jobs. I raise these issues because we do not seem to have got anywhere with it over the years. People have been raising it for three decades,” he said.
READ ALSO: Planned new Laois Lidl store appealed
“The figures say that 156 jobs have been created but that 132 are going. What is being done by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to get replacement industries for the Leprino plant?” asked Dep Stanley.
Mr Harris said “the short answer is that I will speak to my colleague the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, in relation to this. Thankfully, we live in a country that has had full employment for 16 consecutive quarters, but we are not in any way complacent in saying that. We are seeing a churn, for want of a better phrase, in the jobs market”.
He stated that “there is no room for complacency. That is why IDA Ireland, which had its most successful year ever last year, and Enterprise Ireland are receiving a lot of Government support.”
“On the Deputy’s point about the need to have a plan for replacement jobs in Laois and the use of IDA Ireland land is a fair one, as is that which he makes around people’s quality of life and traffic congestion. We believe passionately in balanced regional development. On foot of the Deputy raising this matter today, I will ask the Minister to speak to IDA Ireland and to come back to him directly,” the Tánaiste said.
Earlier this week, Fine Gael Deputy Willie Aird called for urgent government action to secure a new investor for Leprino Foods.
Leprino Foods is to cease manufacturing at the plant in the second half of this year following an internal review, with production moving to sites in Northern Ireland and Wales. The pizza cheese factory which was built for around €130 million in a joint venture between Glanbia and Leprino Foods was capable of producing 45,000 tonnes of cheese a year.
Glanbia sold its 50 percent share of the factory for €178.9 million in 2023 and last year Leprio announced plans to cease operating from the plant. The state-of-the-art facility is now on sale with a guide price of €12 million.
Deputy Aird raised the issue with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, stressing the importance of the site at the National Enterprise Park, Junction 17. He said the focus now must be on getting the facility back into use without delay.
“This is a top-class industrial site with real potential for food, pharma or advanced manufacturing. We cannot afford to see it lying idle while jobs and investment pass us by,” he said.
The Minister confirmed that IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are working with the company and its agents to find a new investor, alongside engagement with Laois County Council and local stakeholders. Deputy Aird said that work must now be stepped up.
“There is engagement happening, but we need pace and we need a clear plan. Any delay will hit the local economy hard,” insisted Dep Aird.
He said Portlaoise remains a strong location for investment.
“We have the infrastructure, the workforce and the location. This site should be a priority for any new investment coming into the country.” he stated.
Dep Aird said he would continue to call for action in relation to Leprino. “I will be keeping the pressure on. People in Laois want to see jobs protected and new opportunities delivered,” he stated.
The Leinster Express/ Laois Live asked Enterprise Ireland whether any direct funding had been spent on the initial project and if it was working on future plans for the plant.
“Enterprise Ireland can confirm Leprino is a client company, and since this announcement was made by the company last year, we have been engaging with the management team, relevant agencies and government departments to support employees and to help mitigate the impact on the local community. Enterprise Ireland continues to work on identifying and engaging potential investors for this state-of-the-art facility,” Enterprise Ireland replied.
The factory at J17, National Enterprise Park in Portlaoise remains on sale through Colliers with a €12,000,000 price tag.
