Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Timmy Dooley has expressed his shock and disappointment following the announcement that the Roche plant in Clarecastle is to close. The pharma company, which has been a major employer in the Clare area, is expected to wind down over the next two years. 250 full time staff as well as hundreds of part-time and contract workers will lose their jobs as a result.
Deputy Dooley commented, “This is a very distressing time for workers and their families and my thoughts are with them this evening. The announcement of the closure of the plant marks a period of uncertainty for them. Despite initial indications that a buyer for the plant was on the cards, it has been confirmed today that a deal could not be secured and the facility will close over the next two years.
“Many of the employees are highly skilled workers who have been with the company for many years. Moves need to be made now to ensure that these workers are offered upskilling and retraining opportunities to ensure that they are in the best position possible to secure alternative employment.
“Roche has been a major employer in Clare for over 3 decades and the Clarecastle plant has attracted significant investment down through the years, making today’s announcement all the more difficult to comprehend. The new Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell O’Connor has a responsibility to ensure that all the mechanisms of the State are fully employed to ensure that the workers affected by the closure are afforded every opportunity to secure alternative work”.