Enterprise Ireland identifies new sectors to replace Wyeth Limerick jobs

ECONOMIC development agency Enterprise Ireland has been tasked with helping Limerick workers facing redundancy in Wyeth find new roles.

That’s according to the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Neale Richmond, who took a question on the firm’s proposed wind-down in the Dail.

Almost 550 positions are under threat in Askeaton after the firm’s parent company Nestle announced it is to close the baby formula production plant by 2026.

The news has sent shockwaves through the economy in west Limerick where the company is one of the area’s largest employers, with many other jobs reliant on the firm’s presence.

In response to a question from Labour leader Ivana Bacik, Mr Richmond said Enterprise Ireland has identified job opportunities in the sustainability and decarbonisation sector, the digital sector plus research and development.

He added Enterprise Ireland will work with Wyeth executives to explore all options for impacted staff.

“Enterprise Ireland has had a long standing and proactive relationship with Wyeth Nutritionals,” he added.

Report reveals the scale of housing crisis in Limerick

The Dublin Fine Gael TD also confirmed that the senior minister in his department Simon Coveney had joined staff from Enterprise Ireland in having talks with Nestlé executives on foot of the news.

He described the exchange as “open and frank”.

“The minister stressed the importance of the site in the context of the local economy and the wider sector. The company assured the minister that its primary focus is to support colleagues in Askeaton at this difficult time,” he told the Dail.

He added there will be further talks between the company and government.

Also in negotiations with bosses at Wyeth are staff of Siptu, Unite and other trade unions which represent staff on site.

Mr Coveney says given the proposed shutdown of Wyeth is more than two years away, there is a bit of breathing space.

“The market has changed very fundamentally. And so Nestlé made the decision that they've got to make changes here. But there is a long way to go yet before there's any closure in west Limerick. And obviously, we'll be involved in those discussions both with management and with the workers, and we'll find opportunities, I hope, in this difficult situation,” he said at the weekend.

Mr Coveney was expected in Askeaton last week, but it’s unclear if that visit will now take place.