Roche worth €20 million to economy

 

The closure of Roche Ireland would result in an estimated loss of €20 million annually for the Clare economy, according to Ennis Chamber.

In the event that Roche Ireland does not secure a new buyer for the purchase of the Clarecastle pharmaceutical factory as a going concern, Ennis Chamber has warned that closure of the plant would result in the loss of 240 people who are directly employed and hundreds of other people employed as contractors who are local suppliers to the facility.

In a statement issued to the Clare Champion, the chamber estimated that a closure of this magnitude and the loss of direct and indirect jobs would result in a loss of €20 million annually for the Clare economy.

The chamber is calling on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton as well as the IDA to intervene in the proposed exit of Roche from their site in Clarecastle.

Speaking about the announcement, Ennis Chamber President, Pat Morris said their thoughts are with the employees, contractors, suppliers and their families.

“It is vital that immediate action is taken by the Minister and the IDA to firstly seek to reverse the decision by Roche headquarters while proactively looking at other options for divestment to others of the site at Clarecastle,” he said.

The Ennis Chamber Industry Action Group has recently sought a meeting with the IDA to discuss foreign direct investment in Ennis and its Environs.

According to Ennis Chamber, the county town has not been their strong focus in recent years and it now urges the IDA to procced with an immediate appointment to the vacant Mid-West IDA regional manager post.

The chamber stressed “it is now urgent that a successful outcome to the Roche situation becomes the top priority with the IDA at all levels of government”.

Dan Danaher