150 new jobs a significant vote of confidence in local economy- Durkan

Kildare-based food manufacturer Dawn Farms, which exports to over 40 markets around the world, has today announced it will add a further 150 jobs to its headquarters in Naas over the next five years.

The investment by Dawn Farms which will amount to €25 million over the period is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Bernard Durkan, said: “This morning’s announcement is a significant vote of confidence in the local economy, and a further sign of increasing employment opportunities outside of Dublin.

“150 new jobs for Naas in the food sector is a significant vote of confidence in the company, its management, its workforce and Naas.

“It is reassuring that in these challenging geo-political times, this indigenous Irish company supplying food and food ingredients to forty countries across the Globe in a very competitive market place, has the confidence to expand even further in Kildare.

“The company started thirty years ago with twelve employees and now employs more than one thousand – a sterling performance”, Deputy Durkan said.

Figures released by the CSO earlier this week show employment is now at its highest level since the economic crash.

The number of people in employment is now 206,000 higher than when Fine Gael’s Action Plan for Jobs was launched in early 2012.

Today’s announcement further builds on the fact that 70% of the new jobs created in the last 12 months are outside Dublin.

The Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor said: “Dawn Farms success is based on its strong roots in Ireland, using our brightest and best food scientists to innovate new products and developing long term relationships with major international customers.

“In the 2017 Action Plan for Jobs, which we launched recently, we committed to supporting firms to diversify their trading footprint, enter new markets and grow international sales. The Government, through Enterprise Ireland, have been a consistent partner and supporter of Dawn Farms and today marks the latest step in that relationship.”

Larry Murrin, CEO of Dawn Farms, said: “Today’s announcement is major vote of confidence in our people, our innovation process and our customers who are involved at every stage. This investment will enhance our capacity to research trends, to develop new products and exciting new production technologies while ensuring that the highest standards of food safety and security are upheld. Typically the new roles will be at least graduate level, with opportunities for more highly qualified food scientists, meat technologists and those with culinary expertise to join the company.”