SENATOR Joanne Collins has called on the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment to safeguard jobs across Limerick and the wider Mid West.
Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Collins highlighted the “steady erosion of employment in the region”, citing the loss of Anderson, Irish Dresden, and Rettig in 2019, and the looming closure of Wyeth Nutrition in Askeaton next March.
This comes as the threat of production at the Kostal plant in Abbeyfeale diverting to China appeared in recent weeks.
“These closures have left a deep and lasting impact on families, workers, and local communities. Each time, it is ordinary people who are left to pick up the pieces,” Senator Collins said.
She also drew attention to the refusal of planning permission for a new Lidl development in Abbeyfeale, a project that could have delivered investment and jobs in the county.
“Opportunities like this must not be lost to red tape. Rural towns need a fair chance to grow, and the government must ensure projects that bring employment are supported, not blocked,” the Sinn Féin senator said.
Senator Collins’ urgent concern, she said, is the situation at Kostal, where up to 50 per cent of the workforce is understood to be at risk, nearly 200 jobs, with production of on-board chargers reportedly moving to China.
“I have spoken to staff who fear for their livelihoods. What matters now is what the Department is doing to stop the next wave of job losses. Has the Minister engaged with management at Kostal? What interventions are being made to protect these jobs?” she asked.
Minister of State at the Department for Enterprise, Trade. and Employment, Noel Grealish, confirmed in the Seanad meeting that the Department had not received a collective redundancy notification from Kostal.
“Furthermore, the government provides a range of supports to any employees facing job losses and the Intreo service of the Department of Social Protection can assist with income supports and relevant employment and training opportunities where needed,” he said.
“Our enterprise agencies will also assist where possible in helping those impacted to find alternative employment. IDA Ireland is actively engaged with the company, including regular meetings with the Irish-based leadership team, and is keeping my Department informed.”
