Thoughts with Wellman workers– Smyth

Government is "fully aware" of the competitiveness challenge the country faces

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise Niamh Smyth has said her thoughts are with the staff of Wellman International, their families and the wider community of Mullagh and East Cavan.

This follows on from the news that Wellman International has filed a petition to place its operation based in Mullagh, Co Cavan into examinership.

Minister Smyth said: “The decision by Wellman International is an extremely upsetting and unsettling time for the staff, their families and the wider community in East Cavan impacted on by this move. The company has been established in East Cavan since 1973 and the site was acquired by Indorama Ventures in 2011.”

“I have been speaking again today to officials in the Department of Enterprise regarding Wellman International. I have been advised that IDA Ireland has been engaging continuously with the company and will continue to do so. The decision by Indorama Ventures to place its operation into examinership has been taken because of deterioration in the market conditions over the last three years and competition from low-priced imports from China, Africa and Middle East has been cited.”

Minister Smyth continued by saying that the Government is "fully aware" of the competitiveness challenge the country faces as it competes for foreign direct investment. Despite this, she says that Ireland has held its own where IDA Client companies are concerned.

"Direct employment at IDA client companies is at 300,000 nationally for the third year in a row despite the number of individual companies downsizing from 2022-2024. In April, Government agreed to expedite the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, in response to geo-political and trade developments.

“This news which came yesterday is a blow for our county of Cavan, but I have every confidence in the supports being provided by the State. Over the past five years the Foreign Direct Investment performance has been consistent with employment among IDA clients increasing by 12%. In the Border Region, there are 72 IDA client companies in the Border Region, employing 10,389 people. Ireland continues to be seen as a location of choice for new investors as well as long-established companies who choose to further invest in substantial expansions of their operations here.”

“I’m thinking of the employees who are particularly concerned about their entitlements and safeguarding pensions etc, many of whom have worked there for many, many years. I am also mindful that it’s a worrying time for parents with children currently sitting exams who plan on attending college in September and all day-to-day financial worries families have. I had calls from people with concerns approaching retirement who have given a lifetime of service to the company. In this regard, I have spoken to the Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary and his officials today and I have asked him to ensure a team is provided from his department to support the workforce with all their queries and concerns at this time.”

“Today is a time to think of the staff and to utilise every support possible within the Department of Enterprise to navigate the best outcome possible for the employees and the wider region. I will be doing everything in my power to ensure the best outcome for the workers, their families, and the spin off economic benefits for the locality. I am acutely aware of the uncertainty this news has inflicted on over two hundred households in the region and their worries for the future.” concluded Minister Smyth.