Quinn criticised as 300 workers forced to relocate

THE billionaire owner of Quinn Healthcare has been criticised for reneging on a promise to keep his headquarters in Fermoy.

The north Cork town has been left shell-shocked following yesterday’s announcement that 300 workers at the healthcare group are to have their jobs relocated to Little Island.

It was the second jobs blow for Fermoy in less than two weeks. On February 25, electronics company Sanmina SCI announced it was laying off 130 employees at its factory in the town.

Mayor of Fermoy Councillor Tadhg O’Donovan accused Sean Quinn of reneging on previous promises to keep the former Bupa company in the town.

“He gave personal commitments to maintain the workforce in Fermoy. Now, at the drop of a hat, the entire workforce is being told to move to Little Island, or lose their jobs.”

The mayor said Quinn Healthcare could have built a new headquarters at a nearby 20-acre technology park which has remained idle for the past five years.

The company informed workers yesterday morning of the move to a e25 million state-of-the art facility at the Eastgate Business Park in Little Island, on the outskirts of Cork city.

Management said employees would be relocated on a phased basis over the next six months.

They added that no Quinn Healthcare jobs are at risk and all existing roles will move, ensuring the high levels of customer service currently provided are maintained.

Dónal Clancy, Quinn Healthcare’s general manager, said the company made the decision to facilitate continued business growth and to improve the working environment of its employees.

He said the company currently rents a restored mill in Fermoy and wanted to own its own building.

Mr Clancy said a number of options had been considered, including the part-relocation of the workforce to the 68,000sq ft Little Island offices.

But, he said, splitting the workforce could have impacted on delivering high quality customer service, and given the growth in business, it would not be sustainable.

“We are acutely aware that we are growing as a business and of our need to expand. Our Little Island office allows us to be located as one team in a first-class modern building with the ideal office environment,” Mr Clancy said.

He said the company appreciated the ongoing support it received from both the Quinn Healthcare team and the people of Fermoy.

“We will be working closely with the team to ensure that the transition to a new location works as smoothly as possible, and to minimise any inconvenience involved. We are confident that Quinn Healthcare will continue to benefit the local Fermoy economy as the vast majority of our team reside in the Fermoy area.”

Cllr O’Donovan said the relocation would probably result in knock-on job losses in service industries in Fermoy.