Minister to visit Athy next week to discuss employment in the area following recent job losses at Coca-Cola factory

By Kim O'Leary

Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation Heather Humphreys will visit Athy next Thursday after being invited to the South Kildare town by local Government TD Martin Heydon, following the announcement of the Coca Cola job loses in the town recently.

Speaking ahead of the meeting Deputy Heydon said, "I am delighted that Minister Humphreys has agreed to come to Athy and see at first hand the economic and employment situation in Athy and the greater south Kildare area along with the challenges that we face in the region."

The Minister who will be joined in her delegation by senior officials from IDA and Enterprise Ireland, will receive a brief on the employment situation in South Kildare as well as meeting with representatives of local business presently operating in the area.

Last month the community of Athy was hit by the shock decision by Coca-Cola to close their plant in the town, resulting in the loss of all 82 jobs at the factory.

The plant in Athy manufactures the popular soft drink, but all of its services will be move to Ballina Beverages in county Mayo following a review of their manufacturing process.

The closure would result in the loss of 82 direct jobs, with 43 of those roles transferring to the Ballina plant while employees from Athy would have the option to transfer.

Meanwhile, Deputy Heydon has also invited senior officials from Kildare County Council, Kildare South TD's, the local Athy Cllr's and representatives of the Kildare Local Enterprise Office to attend and engage with the delegation.

Deputy Heydon said of the upcoming visit:"This is a unique opportunity for us to have a focused meeting on the employment landscape in South Kildare, to hear from some of those who run business and employ people in the area and for us to examine additional key supports needed. My goal from this meeting is that the Jobs Minister, along with the Ida and Enterprise Ireland focus on helping us to develop further supports for employment opportunities in South Kildare."

"My priorities are the development of an apprenticeship and training centre in Athy and the expansion of enterprise supports for start up's and entrepreneurs, to help us create more employment opportunities, but this can only be achieved with Government support. We also will discuss what more can be done to help South Kildare attract big business and employers to the area," Deputy Heydon concluded.