THE former Andersen costume jewellery plant in Rathkeale could act as a base for local agri-businesses and serve as catalyst for job creation in West Limerick.
That’s the view of local Independent councillor Emmett O’Brien who insists that “time and time again” local employees are at the whim of foreign businesses who can decide to close down a plant and relocate.
A number of local public representatives have welcomed the news that the building has been taken over by Innovate Limerick, the new industry support venture attached to Limerick City and County Council.
Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan and local Councillor Stephen Keary say that the involvement of the local authority will provide a supportive environment to facilitate higher levels of innovation across the various stakeholders.
This view is shared by Cllr O’Brien,who believes that local innovation and research would not only help address gaps in the food product development pipeline but accelerate the growth of high-value exports and, above all else, create local jobs.
“Rathkeale is perfectly based in one of the leading dairy regions in the world, adjacent to Dairygold, Kerry and Arrabawn suppliers’ areas,” he said.
“Limerick alone provides almost nine per cent of the national dairy herd and in a post milk quota era, local producers need to break into the emerging markets. The former Andersen plant can play a critical part in that,” he explained.
“Rathkeale could house national and international agri-food and beverage businesses which over time would attract a cluster of associated food businesses on a fee-paying basis. This is a real opportunity for Rathkeale and we must grasp it.
He also believes that the University of Limerick and Limerick Institute of Technology need to work with the local authority and Innovate Limerick in achieving this aim. He pointed out that Salesian Agricultural College in Pallaskenry already has a relationship with LIT.
