Local TDs call for investment in Offaly business following recent redundancies
Fine Gael TD, John Clendennen and Fianna Fáil TD, Tony McCormack have both called for action on further investment and job creation in Offaly.
It comes after the recent cuts at both Cardinal Health in Tullamore and Nelipak in Clara saw a string of redundancies in the county.
Fianna Fáil TD Tony McCormack highlighted the issue in the Dáil, as he asked for solutions for both multinational companies and our small and medium businesses.
"In my constitunecy, we lost jobs. Approximately 300 jobs in Cardinal Health, a company that was in Tullamore for over 40 years, and many of the employees have been there 20 to 30 years and more. This company contributed hugely to the Offaly economy over it's lifetime.
“Now 40 more jobs at Nelipak in Clara, another company that provided great employment in our county for many years. In both cases these jobs cases have gone elsewhere [because] the cost of doing business here was too high."
Both Deputy Clendennen and Deputy McCormack have dedicated themselves to working towards growth of IDA facilities in Offaly, with Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke comitting to a visit to the county.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Clendennen highlighted the pressing need for IDA land acquisition to facilitate the expansion of the IDA-backed companies.
“With three IDA visits in 2023 and five in 2024, we now need to secure land to ensure that we secure investment. I invite the Minister to the county to meet with our local authority and discuss how we can progress this further."
In response, the Minister Burke confirmed that negotiations regarding a significant land bank in County Offaly are progressing.
“I worked hard to deliver a significant land bank in County Offaly. These issues are commercially sensitive, given the ongoing negotiations with IDA.
"I am acutely aware of the work that the Deputy has done on Cardinal Health and the big challenge we have there. The future is bright with all the good work we will be doing.”