Agora Incorporated to Create 100 IDA Supported Jobs in Portlaw – Minister Coffey

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey TD has welcomed the announcement of 100 IDA supported jobs for Portlaw. Minister Coffey said that this was another example of the Regional Jobs Plan working and shows us that the recovery is now taking hold in rural towns and villages right across Ireland.

“The Agora companies publish more than 300 books and 120 newsletters with over 1 million readers globally. Publications are translated into several languages including French, Spanish, German and Italian. Agora will be establishing a multilingual contact centre and a technology services centre in Portlaw that will see 100 jobs being created over three years.

“Agora will be investing some €4.4 million to refurbish Woodlock House in Portlaw which was originally built in the 19th Century the by Malcolmson Quaker family who have a huge association with the town and its unique social, cultural and industrial heritage.

“This is a significant investment for the area and I have no doubt that Agora will be a huge benefit to the town and the environs of Portlaw and will be welcomed and supported by the local community.

“Portlaw has a long industrial history since the Cotton Mill was founded in the 1800’s; subsequently Irish Tanners had their headquarters and tanning operations in the town from the 1930’s to the mid-1980’s. A number of small indigenous businesses operate from their Portlaw base and create employment; however this is the first major investment for the area in a generation.

“Portlaw which was once an industrial and manufacturing power-base is re-inventing itself as a centre for technology and 21st century business and it also has strong potential in terms of tourism growth and job creation.

“I have worked closely with a number of businesses and state agencies to assist in delivering this investment for Portlaw and I am delighted that Woodlock House, which has played a significant role in the town’s history; will now become a place of investment and job creation. This shows the potential that rural towns and villages have in delivering jobs for the local economies.

“Since this government came to power in March 2011; some 97,100 jobs have been added in the economy. One in Four of these jobs have been created in the South East Region. The South East has the fastest growing employment rate in the State and as result of this progress the Fine Gael led government was able to cut income taxes for the first time in 7 years this year.

“This government aims to reach full employment by 2018 and this will give scope for further income tax reductions in the coming years and further adjustments to the Universal Social Charge; that may allow us to remove even more people from this charge. So far the government have removed 420,000 people out of paying the Universal Social Charge and we hope remove another 80,000 people in the upcoming budget.

“Announcements like today are only possible in a politically stable economy that attracts Foreign Direct Investment, and it is a testament to the hard work and sacrifices the Irish people have made in rebuilding our society and economy since the economic collapse.

“I want to congratulate the IDA in bringing this investment to Waterford and I want to wish the Staff and management of Agora Incorporated the best for the future and I hope this will be the beginning of a long relationship between Waterford and Agora Inc.”