100 Castleisland jobs under threat

MORE than 100 jobs are under threat at Castleisland in Co Kerry.

It came as it emerged up to 460 jobs could be created in North Tipperary, South Offaly and Clare with the development of two M7 motorway services facilities in Birdhill and Moneygall and the securing of a US contract by a Shannon firm.

In Castleisland, the cost-saving proposals put forward by more than 100 workers have been rejected by their employer.

More flexible work practices and additional hours of work are among the suggestions by workers seeking to save their jobs at Aetna, an American-owned health benefits company.

But, in a statement yesterday, Aetna management said the proposals did not support their “strategic objectives for the global service strategy”.

Meanwhile, the two companies behind the motorway developments have announced that an additional 230 jobs could be generated during the construction phase of the projects.

The total cost of building the two M7 motorway service areas is estimated at close to €20 million. They will provide services for customers travelling the motorway route between Kerry and Dublin.

The Motorway Services Area project planned for Birdhill in North Tipperary is estimated to cost €12m, with the creation of 110 jobs and about 150 jobs during construction.

Earmarked for a 3.28 hectare site off the M7 in the townlands of Lackanavea and Coolderry, the facilities will include a food court and a petrol station.

Other facilities include a fast food restaurant and a vehicle servicing facility. There will be a total of 148 parking spaces as well as picnic areas. The way was cleared for the development following the withdrawal of an objection to An Bord Pleanála.

The project is being promoted by Birdhill Motorway Developments Limited.

The news coincides with the announcement by fast food chain Supermac’s of the development of its €7m “travel plaza” in Moneygall.

Supermac’s said the facility, earmarked for a 12 acre site, would result in the creation of 50 jobs, together with a further 70 to 80 in the development and building stages of the project.

In Clare, 300 jobs were announced in a joint venture between US-based mobile technology accessory firm, ZAGG and Shannon company, CREGG Logistics.