Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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623. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the most recent engagement his Department has had with a company (details supplied) particularly in respect of its processing plant. [15940/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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In April, the indigenous enterprise agency of my Department, Enterprise Ireland met with a number of the senior executive team in the company concerned to discuss ways of supporting the sustainability of the plant in question. The challenges and opportunities of the sector concerned within the broader beverage industry were discussed and the company outlined their future plans for the site.

The biggest challenge experienced by the company in recent times has been the decline in the off trade business nationally and the difficulty of expanding their cider market share in established and competitive markets such as the UK. Seasonality is a big feature of the market and sales increase substantially when the weather is good, likewise there is a negative impact if the weather is bad.

Future plans include becoming a multi beverage manufacturing plant as the site concerned takes on the manufacture of bottled water, concentrate juices and cider products in addition to their own cider and beer production. 80 new positions will be created and it was hoped that a number of employees from the plant in Borrisoleigh which has closed will take on the new positions in the site concerned. A new warehousing facility is being built which will double existing capacity and will enable the business to increase their direct delivery service to their customers.

Enterprise Ireland outlined to the company the support provided to clients in relation to research and development, environmental improvements and achieving best practice through increased competitiveness. A follow up meeting with the company is currently being sought by Enterprise Ireland to progress discussions in these key areas.