merrion street

Taoiseach Enda Kenny with Jim Bergin, CEO, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland, and Liam Herlihy, Chairperson, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland

Taoiseach Enda Kenny today unveiled details of Government support for Glanbia Ingredients Ireland Limited (GIIL) which will create over 1600 direct and indirect jobs and contribute an estimated €400 million pa to the economy - with particular benefit to farm families and rural communities. Through Enterprise Ireland, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation will part-fund the development of a world-class dairy facility in Belview, on the Kilkenny/Waterford border.

All produce from the new facility will be destined for export markets. Construction is set to commence on 17 May and the new facility is expected to begin production in Spring 2015.

The scale and scope of Belview is extremely ambitious. As the dairy industry purchases 90% of its inputs from the domestic economy, there will be a maximum impact on the income of farm families – boosting the rural economy and the local industries that will service on-farm expansion. GIIL enjoys strong commercial relationships, including contract manufacturing with eight other Irish dairy processors. This new scalable facility will provide platforms for further collaboration in the industry.

Welcoming the announcement Taoiseach Enda Kenny said:

The Government is delighted to support GIIL's significant investment in the Irish dairy industry as it represents a massive vote of confidence in Ireland and our agri-food sector. Glanbia is one of Ireland’s great home-grown success stories and their investment in the South East region will be welcomed by rural communities and farmer. It is the largest single dairy investment in the history of the State and will contribute greatly to Ireland's export-led recovery.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, said:

It is companies like Glanbia – innovative, dynamic, flexible indigenous Irish companies – that represent the future of Irish exports, and sustainable Irish jobs. Supporting the indigenous export sector is high on the agenda for my Department..........ensuring a coordinated and coherent approach to promoting Ireland in our key markets overseas is one of my key priorities.

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton added:

This is a model of what we are trying achieve through our Action Plan – an Irish company investing in a world-leading facility to produce for export markets and creating large numbers of jobs in a rural area. I commend Enterprise Ireland and GIIL on this achievement and wish them every success with their endeavour.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, described the announcement by GIIL:

As a milestone in realising the tremendous potential for dairy expansion which is a cornerstone of the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. A vision for the sector is being delivered by industry and is being supported by coherent Government action to improve efficiency and reduce on farm costs.

Welcoming the Government’s announcement CEO of GIIL, Jim Bergin said:

We are very pleased that through Enterprise Ireland, the Government is acknowledging the economic contribution of the Belview project. It will contribute €400M per annum to the local economies of 16 surrounding counties and demonstrates a real long-term commitment to farm families and the rural economy.

Frank Ryan, CEO of Enterprise Ireland said:

Today’s announcement will further secure Ireland’s standing as a world-leader in the dairy industry. Food is Ireland’s number one export sector and critically important to our economy and export-led growth.