Plea to Govt over Kilmeaden jobs axe
The Government must find new employment opportunities for people in Co Waterford, a Labour TD demanded as it emerged 45 jobs are to go from a cheese production plant in Kilmeaden.
Waterford Deputy Brian O’Shea said the loss of the jobs from the Glanbia plant was a further blow to the region, which saw 500 employees lose their jobs with Waterford Crystal in May.
“First and foremost my thoughts are with the Glanbia employees who have discovered today that they are to lose their jobs,” Mr O’Shea said.
“Coming at this time of year when many children are returning to school and college and as we face into winter, it is a particularly bad time for any family member to be out of work.
“The Kilmeaden name is well-known both locally, where the factory has operated for 20 years, and throughout the country due to the popularity of the Kilmeaden cheddar brand.
“While the majority of the employees were seasonal staff who worked at the plant from March to September, I would hope that Glanbia could find a new purpose for the factory and that new permanent jobs can be found to replace those that have been lost.”
Mr O’Shea called for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to give assistance and support to Glanbia to develop new product lines that could be manufactured at Kilmeaden.
“It is imperative that the Government generally, and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in particular, work to source new employment for Waterford as an immediate priority,” he said.
The plant at Kilmeaden is the victim of the decision by Glanbia to consolidate its cheddar cheese production into two sites, its Ballyragget facility and Dairygold Co-operative’s Mitchelstown site.
The plant – which employs 45 people, with 41 of them on a seasonal basis – was due to close for the winter at the end of September and will not now reopen in March 2006.
Today the chief executive of Glanbia’s Irish food ingredients business, Jim Bergin, said the decision was regrettable but inevitable because of the cost pressures on Irish dairy processing.
“Glanbia is to retain the Kilmeaden facility and we will continue to explore alternative specialist cheese production options,” he said.
“Thanks to the commitment shown by local milk suppliers, management and staff, the facility has consistently produced the highest quality cheddar cheese over the years.
“This proud tradition will be continued using the same recipe as has been used for the last 20 years.”
Mr Bergin also said Glanbia would continue to collect milk from suppliers in Waterford at no extra cost or inconvenience.
