Bord na Móna investment of €6m to create 91 jobs

BORD na Móna is to invest €6 million creating 91 jobs over the next three years at the company’s headquarters in Newbridge, Co Kildare.

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton and Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte unveiled the plans yesterday.

“If we are to rebuild the economy and create the jobs we so badly need, we must create an indigenous engine of growth,” said Mr Bruton.

“A key part of my plan to support indigenous business and create sustainable jobs is picking winners. We must target supports at the sectors where we have advantages and the companies with potential in order to create high-growth indigenous businesses which will drive future growth,” he said.

The jobs in research and development, engineering, science and business will be aimed at graduates and skilled workers.

Bord na Móna also unveiled plans to mentor new small and medium- sized businesses in the Midlands and recently announced a separate recruitment drive for 20 hi-tech positions, which are expected to be filled by March.

“Today’s announcement is about providing concrete supports to a large, successful state company to create real, high-end jobs in the sector,” Mr Bruton said.

The €6m investment, which represents a 50% increase in research and development spending over the last three years, is supported by Enterprise Ireland.

Mr Rabbitte congratulated the organisation on its ambitious plans.

“Bord na Mona is an integral part of Ireland’s heritage and this investment in innovation ensures it will be integral to Ireland’s future as an innovation nation,” said Mr Rabbitte.

“Bord na Móna is a significant contributor to Ireland’s economy in terms of employment and output and this significant step to secure their future growth and invest in their international strategy is to be strongly welcomed,” he said.

Meanwhile, company chief executive Gabriel D’Arcy said the plans would play an important role in the move from peat-based activities to more sustainable and clean technologies.

“We want to work with the community in our area to achieve our goals and we intend to work with start-up companies in these sectors in the region to help us reach our goals,” Mr D’Arcy added.