Allergan workers 'a top priority': Martin

Minister for Trade and Enterprise Micheál Martin has said the 360 workers who are to lose their jobs at pharmaceutical plant Allergan in Arklow are now "a top priority for the Government and its job-creation and training agencies".

He said Enterprise Ireland and FÁS were offering support to the workers looking for new jobs over the coming months.

"Training and other supports will be on offer, including information on small business start-ups," he said and added that IDA Ireland would "continue to work to attract new investment into the region".

On today's announcement that all 360 Arklow jobs are to go by June 2009, the Minister said: "It is regrettable that Allergan is closing its Arklow operation.

"Allergan says it remains committed to its facility in Westport, Co Mayo, which employs 750 people, and its Dublin Shared Services Centre which employs 70 people."

Allergan has invested more than $150m (€101m) in the last five years to expand the Westport facility.

In a statement announcing its decision today, Allergan said today that it expected to incur "restructuring and other transition-related costs" between now and the closure of between $60m (€40m) and $65m (€44m).

Executive vice president Raymond Diradoorian said: said: "For economic and operational reasons, Allergan will consolidate the manufacturing of its breast implant products to the company’s state-of-the-art facility in Costa Rica.

"This new facility, which was constructed in 2006, has the capacity to meet current and future production needs to the highest quality specifications.

"This decision has been carefully deliberated and while difficult, has been made necessary by the high level of investment required to maintain competitiveness at the Arklow manufacturing location."