Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2012
102 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has consulted with any agencies or a company (details supplied) regarding the future use of Dundalk and Kilkenny brewery sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4600/12]
View answerWhile the centralisation of the company's brewing activities in St. James's Gate has been signalled since 2008, and the major new investment in that location is to be welcomed, I was disappointed to hear that the closures in Dundalk and Kilkenny would now materialise. I am extremely conscious of the anxiety that the proposed closures will create for the workers involved and their families as well as the local communities. The Dundalk site is now scheduled for closure in July 2013 and the Kilkenny site in December 2013 subject to planning and construction timelines at St James's Gate.
The future use of the sites is a matter for consideration by the company concerned, but I understand from Enterprise Ireland that the company plans to retain the sites for a number of years. The agency will continue to engage proactively with the company in relation to seeking new investments to retain and grow jobs in Ireland.
