IDA branded ‘useless’ after shock Laois factory closure announcement
Leprino Foods Company announced its decision to cease operations from next year at its Portlaoise plant, with the loss of over 130 jobs
THE IDA has been branded ‘useless’ by a Laois politician, following the shock announcement today that a Portlaoise cheese factory is to close with the loss of 132 jobs.
Leprino Foods Company announced its decision to cease operations from next year at the plant, in the National Enterprise Park at Junction 17, just outside Portlaoise at Togher.
The factory, which makes mozzarella cheese and string cheese, opened only four years ago.
Reacting to the news, Seán Fleming TD said that IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland must immediately visit the factory, with a view to finding a replacement business.
He said: ‘Over the years the IDA has been useless in terms of bringing jobs to Laois and they must now prove that they have a genuine interest in bringing jobs to the county.’
Meanwhile, Laois TD Brian Stanley described the IDA’s record in the county as ‘appalling’ and said the withdrawal of Glanbia from the partnership at the Leprino cheese plant two years ago was ‘an ominous sign’.
In a statement this afternoon, Deputy Fleming (FF) said: ‘We were all shocked and saddened to hear the announcement that Leprino Foods has decided to cease manufacturing in Portlaoise in the second half of 2026.
‘This is very difficult and distressing news for the 132 employees who worked in the plant and their families. We must all do what we can to find replacement jobs as soon as possible for these employees.
‘I am asking Leprino, an American owned company, to do everything in its power to continue to explore options for the manufacturing plant and to see is any other company interested in taking over the plant.
‘This is a very high quality, new facility connected with the dairy industry and there must be options for the plant to be used, if not for cheese manufacturing, for some other processing facility for the dairy industry.’
Deputy Fleming described the number of IDA visits to Laois in recent years as ‘unacceptably low’ and said the agency must now ‘prove their worth to the county’.
He said: ‘Enterprise Ireland must also seek to bring a replacement industry to the Leprino manufacturing plant.
‘Enterprise Ireland is closely connected to Irish-run businesses and there must be an opportunity, in view of the dairy industry being so strong in Ireland, to link this plant with some other major players in the Irish or international food production industry.
‘IDA and Enterprise Ireland must work together in bringing replacement jobs to this modern plant in Portlaoise as urgently as possible.’
Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley also sent out a statement describing the closure announcement as ‘a grave disappointment’, particularly for its 132 employees.
He said: ‘This plant provided hope that at last some large-scale manufacturing would happen in the Laois area, as such industry would be attractive.
‘The withdrawal of Glanbia from the partnership at this plant two years ago was an ominous sign.
‘I am calling on the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to once and for all start taking Co Laois seriously in terms of Industry. The fact that the IDA had only two visits to Laois in the last year is an appalling record.
‘Laois County Council (LCC) have done more than the two together in terms of jobs in Laois. It is now time for the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to redouble their efforts.'
