Roscommon-Galway Fine Gael Senator, Aisling Dolan, is calling for the establishment of a Jobs Taskforce for Ballinasloe in light of potential job losses at manufacturing company Aptar.
The company has been based at the IDA Business Park in Creagh for the past 20 years and is a major employer for the Ballinasloe and South Roscommon region with a workforce of approximately 120 personnel.
Aptar Ballinasloe is part of the Aptar Global group and supplies innovative dispensing systems for various markets including fragrance and beauty. Staff at the manufacturing facility have been informed that the company is considering ceasing its operations in Ballinasloe due to competitive market conditions and cost cutting.
“It’s absolutely imperative that these jobs are retained in Ballinasloe. Aptar has been a significant employer in the East Galway region for two decades and the town of Ballinasloe needs employers like Aptar to ensure local communities remain viable and vibrant.
I’m calling on the Government to set up a taskforce involving agencies such as IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices and business groups to find a way to secure jobs for Ballinasloe. We cannot let another employer leave the area without providing security for staff and their families,” Senator Dolan remarked.
Senator Dolan will be working with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation to ensure supports for employees and to drive investment for the East Galway-South Roscommon region.
“Ballinasloe is a fantastic strategic location on the M6 motorway, excellent rail and transport links, with over 20,000 in the hinterland and a highly educated workforce with graduates from Athlone Institute of Technology, NUI Galway, University of Limerick, including business focused apprenticeships with Galway Roscommon Education Training Board. It is an ideal location for start-ups, small businesses expanding operations and SMEs looking for reasonable cost locations,” Senator Dolan concluded.
