Co-op plans back 1,000 extra jobs

More than 1,000 additional jobs in the wider economy will be supported by Dairygold Co-op’s €117 million investment in processing facilities, said Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Minister Richard Bruton last week, when Taoiseach Enda Kenny laid the foundation stone for Dairygold’s €83.5m processing site at Mallow, and official opened the co-op’s €33.5m Castlefarm upgrade in Mitchelstown.

“This investment will create 115 new full-time jobs in operations, as well as 400 temporary construction jobs, a hugely welcome boost. Crucially, according to an economic impact study, it will also support more than 1,000 additional knock-on jobs in the wider economy over the next five years as suppliers take on extra staff to meet the increased demand. These are real, much-needed jobs in a rural area, which will provide opportunities for young people who want to get involved in farming and live in their local area. With continued implementation of our plan, we can see more announcements like this in the coming years across rural Ireland,” said Mr Bruton.

The Taoiseach was also accompanied by Agriculture and Defence Minister Simon Coveney; Minister of State at Foreign Affairs Sean Sherlock; Minister of State for Agriculture Tom Hayes; local TDs, representatives of Enterprise Ireland, other state agencies, the broader dairy industry, farming organisations and agri-business interests.