Shock closure of Portlaoise factory is raised in the Dáil

THE plight of 132 people who will lose their jobs next year at the Leprino Foods cheese factory in Portlaoise was highlighted in the Dáil by local TD Brian Stanley, who described the record of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland in Laois as “awful”.

The shock news that the factory at the J17 National Enterprise Park in Togher would close was announced last month, with production set to move to Northern Ireland and Wales. The plant will be wound down on a phased basis and staff will receive bonuses to stay, until it finally shuts down in mid-2026.

Speaking in Dáil Éireann on Wednesday, Deputy Stanley said Laois has only 154 jobs in IDA-backed companies, the lowest number in Ireland. IDA Ireland made only two visits to Laois in the past 12 months, compared to 20 visits in Westmeath.

The Independent TD said: “It is very disappointing. A question has to be asked about why Laois is being ignored time and again.” 

Minister of State Emer Higgins replied that enterprise minister Peter Burke “extended his sympathies to the workers and their families”. She said that both his department and the Department of Social Protection would “support the company and its employees in any way they can”.

Minister Higgins said: “The IDA acquired 18.46ha of land adjacent to the business and technology park in October 2022 and an additional 4.25ha last year. That land is currently available for promotion on the business and technology park in Portlaoise and is almost 30ha at this point. IDA Ireland continues to assist Enterprise Ireland companies with their property requirements as they set up and scale.” 

Meanwhile, Portlaoise councillors expressed confidence that jobs at the €130m Leprino mozzarella plant, which opened only four years ago, can be replaced.

At the September meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District Council, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said she was hopeful that a replacement would be found for the state-of-the-art facility.

She said: “The impact it has on people working there and on their families is very serious. The council chief executive and management are trying everything possible to get a replacement industry. As representatives, we will do everything we can to support them. The IDA or Enterprise Ireland will have to help.” 

Cathaoirleach Cllr John Joe Fennelly said he spoke to council chief executive Michael Rainey regarding council and Enterprise Ireland efforts to secure a replacement industry and he was hopeful there would be a successful outcome.

Cllr Paddy Buggy said: “It was a huge disappointment for the town and for workers with mortgages and bills to pay, but I am fairly confident that something else can come in, because it's an excellent facility, an excellent site and an excellent location.” 

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said: “It is a huge blow. I was talking to young families who only recently got mortgages and we have to do everything we can to find a replacement. I hope to see somebody going into that factory.” 

The cheese plant was a joint venture between Glanbia plc and the US-owned Leprino Foods, the world’s largest maker of cheese for pizza toppings, who paid €925,000 to Laois Co Council for the five-acre serviced site.

Opened in 2021, the Portlaoise factory was part of a long-running joint venture between Glanbia and Leprino, but Glanbia sold its share in the plant to the US company in 2023.