Over 200 Jobs Announced In Dublin And Cork

More than 200 new jobs are to be created in Dublin and Cork, in separate announcements made by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O'Connor.

110 new jobs are to be created in Dublin as part of a €3m expansion plan announced by Nightline, Ireland's largest independent logistic and delivery service.

Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor, and Nightline CEO, John Tuohy, made the announcement at an event today.

The company is expanding to cater for the launch of new premium services for its customers including same day, evening and weekend deliveries. As a direct result of the investment Nightline has opened a new depot in Swords, Co. Dublin. The jobs are part of a growth announcement of 150 new jobs nationally for Nightline.

The jobs, which include positions such as new delivery driver posts, depot support staff and sortation shift staff, will deliver a boost to Dublin's local economy.

Minister O'Connor, said: "I'm delighted to be welcoming this news today that Nightline are creating 150 jobs. Indigenous Irish businesses such as Nightline are important to not only the national economy but also local communities, delivering a valuable economic contribution across the country through increased employment and local expenditure. 

"At the moment Ireland has one of the fastest growing employment rates in Europe, and it is homegrown companies such as Nightline which are helping to sustain this. I am particularly pleased that this expansion will lead to job growth in regions around Ireland. I want to wish Nightline and their employees continued success for the future."

And in Mitchelstown, Co Cork, 65 jobs are to be created at a new €38 million Kerrygold butter production and packing facility.

The new facility will have a capacity of up to 50,000 tonnes of butter per annum and will initially employ 65 people.

The centre was officially opened by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O'Connor and Ornua Chairman, Aaron Forde.

Ornua is Ireland's largest exporter of Irish dairy products, exporting to over 110 countries worldwide. A key part of Ornua's growth strategy is to significantly increase sales of the Kerrygold brand. Today, Kerrygold sales retail at c€750 million, with targets to grow to €1 billion. Kerrygold Park will ensure a world-class supply chain to support both this growth target and the further development of the brand.

Kerrygold Park will have the capability to produce new butter products and formats not currently available in Ireland. Kerrygold Park will also house the 'Green to Gold' Customer Innovation Centre, which will be a key destination for international customer visits to Ireland.

Kevin Lane, Ornua CEO said: "The opening of Kerrygold Park marks a special day for Ireland's dairy industry. The quality of Irish milk is exceptional. From the fields to the processors, the success of Kerrygold is based on the outstanding quality of the milk and cream that goes into it. Now, we have a world-class production and packing facility to complete the value chain. Kerrygold Park is core to our ambitious plans to develop the Kerrygold brand from a butter brand to a dairy brand. Not only will the new facility significantly enhance our production, it also greatly improves our innovation capability and our ability to deliver premium dairy products to consumers around the world. This is the most effective way of securing value for Irish dairy farmers."

(MH)