Jobs boost at lagan brick in kingscourt

There has been broad welcome at news that 30 new jobs are being created at Lagan Brick in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, a move which has been attributed to a significant upturn in demand both in Irish and UK markets.

The news comes almost a year and a half after former plant workers were left out in the cold on Christmas week, when told the manufacturing facility at Drumgill was to close with immediate effect back in late 2011.

Twenty of the jobs being announced will come on stream immediately, with the commissioning of one kiln in the first phase of the reopening operation.

The 10 remaining positions will be phased in the longer term term, with Lagan planning to have two kiln lines fully operational, providing a total capacity for creating a 20 million bricks per annum if forecasts are met.

As reported in The Anglo-Celt last December, the dramatic turn of fortunes for the local area and the brick factory, the only one of its kind in Ireland, is down to significant upturn in demand for high quality brick in both the Irish and UK markets.

Minister for Arts Heather Humphreys was among a number of local representatives welcoming the announcement, saying the development is “very positive” for everyone involved.

“The creation of 30 additional jobs will be a welcome boost in Kingscourt. The Government is committed to helping Irish companies, such as Lagan Brick, to grow their operations and create sustainable jobs in local communities.

“It is great to see companies like Lagan Brick planning ahead for the future with confidence. And it is particularly positive to see the new jobs being created at the Lagan Brick facility in Kingscourt, which closed three years ago because of the economic crash. I would like to commend the management team and staff for this turn around,” she said.

Like fellow front-bencher, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton, she noted the government's commitment to job creation.

“The number of people on the Live Register has fallen by 20% in Cavan and Monaghan over the last year. This is solid progress, but too many people remain out of work. The Government has launched the Action Plan for Jobs Regional, which will help to drive further job creation in the border region,” Minister Humphreys said.