Concern that Genfitt jobs will remain in east Mayo town

LOCAL concern in Kiltimagh that one of the town's major employers might relocate elsewhere has been raised at county council level.

It concerns Genfitt, who were acquired by the Kramp Group last year, with Councillor Adrian Forkan saying he has received several contacts from people concerned that they may move from the town in the future.

He asked council management if they were aware of this and were involved, making it known that were Kiltimagh to lose 50 jobs it would be a 'huge loss' to the town.

Kramp, he said, were set to increase jobs to 100 in the next few years and to lose them would be massive.

Kiltimagh, continued Councillor Forkan, has lost two banks and he didn't know how many shops and pubs have closed. If they lost the likes of Genfitt they may as well throw in the towel and pull the shutters down.

If the council is involved he was asking they look at sites and do everything in their power to make sure those jobs stay in Kiltimagh.

Councillor John Caulfield supported him, asking if there was an opportunity to engage with the company and assist them with planning if a new site is needed.

Chief executive Kevin Kelly said he didn't want to talk about any particular company but the council is often approached by entities looking for advice and support with regards creating employment and they do that to the best of their ability.

Businesses make their own decisions commercially about what they want to do.

The case outlined came to his attention in the last week that there was a site offered and he suggested local direct discussion with the company in respect of the site offer.