At a meeting of the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta in Na Forbacha, Co. Galway today (28 Jan 2011) the board members expressed their disappointment at the decision by Gallagher’s Bakery (Gal Ard Teo) to cease the frozen product production part of its operations in Ardara.
Senior Údarás executives explained to the Board that they met with representatives from the company and were told that the current business was not sustainable due to the increase in the cost of raw materials, decline in sales and increased competition.
The company confirmed its intention to relocate the frozen product production part of its operations to Grange Castle, Dublin, where Cuisine de France has a production facility. 25 new jobs will be created in Grange Castle as a result of the transfer and representatives from the company indicated that priority will be given to employees from Gallagher’s Bakery for these positions.
The company said that it is willing to facilitate the transfer of the fresh baked products business and its assets to a new owner, which could lead to the maintenance of 40 jobs.
An tÚdarás is currently working with the company in an effort to maintain the maximum amount of employment in Ardara. Talks will continue in the coming weeks to ensure that optimum results are achieved for the employees, the local community and the State.