Bruton rejects Cadbury job losses criticism

MINISTER for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, has hit back at stinging criticism from a Northside senator following the announcement of major jobs losses at the Cadbury plant in Coolock.

Last week, the company, which has been a major employer in the area since the 1960s, announced that 160 jobs will be lost between the Coolock factory and another plant at Rathmore, County Kerry.

Senator Averil Power (FF) expressed her disappointment at the decision but also questioned if the Government had done anything to change the company’s mind.

“It is clear from Minister Bruton’s statements that he was aware that these jobs were at risk,

? she claimed.

“Cadbury employees deserve to know how long he has known about this and what steps he took to try to convince the company to change its mind.

“The Government and IDA financially incentivise companies to bring new jobs to Ireland but are not doing enough to save existing ones.

“If there’s a ribbon to be cut, there’s no shortage of ministers to do so, but when there’s hard work to be done in saving existing jobs, they’re found wanting.

?

Senator Power said Minister Bruton must make a last ditch effort to stop the job losses.

“If that’s not possible, he should set up a taskforce to secure alternative employment for those being made redundant,

? she added.

“Some employees who have been with the company for years will need to retrain in order to secure alternative employment. They must be given every possible assistance with this.

?

When Northside People put Senator Power’s comments to Minister Bruton’s office, his spokesperson said:

“It’s a shame that Senator Power and Fianna Fail, of all parties, have chosen to use this job loss as an attempt to score cheap political points instead of taking constructive action on behalf of the workers.

“The Minister intends to work with local representatives to find solutions for the communities affected.

“With that in mind, he has invited all local TDs and senators in for a briefing on the situation this week.

?

The spokesperson said it was important to note that more than 35,000 extra people are at work today in Dublin compared to three years ago.

“By comparison, in the last three years of the last Fianna Fail Government, 90,000 people lost their jobs in Dublin,

? the spokesperson added.

Mondelez Ireland said that in relation to its Cadbury manufacturing plants in Coolock and Rathmore, the company presented proposals aimed at ensuring the chocolate production business in Ireland is sustainable and stronger for the future.

“The proposals include a

?¬11.7 million investment in new chocolate making technology to enable Coolock to concentrate production on core chocolate brands: Cadbury Dairy Milk 8-square, Flake, Twirl and Boost, for consumption in Ireland and the export market.

“From the end of 2015 the Coolock plant will no longer produce wafer brands Time Out and Pink Snack, sales of which have been in decline for a number of years.

“These proposals, and a wider efficiency programme in both Coolock and Rathmore, would result in the loss of approximately 160 roles across both sites.

?

Justin Cook, managing director of Mondelez Ireland, said:

“We very much regret that these proposed changes would require role reductions. We are committed to working fairly and respectfully with employees and their representatives through the consultation processes that will now commence.

?