Hope in Portlaoise to replace 132 jobs at doomed Laois factory

Portlaoise councillors have expressed hope and even "confidence" that the 132 jobs being lost at a doomed Laois cheese factory can be replaced.

The Leprino pizza mozzarella plant in Laois County Council's J17 National Enterprise Park is being closed down on a phased basis, to fully shut by mid 2026. Staff are being paid bonuses to stay on until it finally shuts down.

The custom built €130 million factory was the first flagship unit to open in the council's new J17 National Enterprise Park just four years ago in 2021.

Laois County Council is now trying to replace the jobs set to be lost, according to Portlaoise Municipal District councillors. 

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald expressed her shock at the closure, but hope for saving jobs, at the September meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

"I was disappointed about the factory closing, at the loss of 132 jobs. The impact that has on people working their and on their families is very serious. We don't have much industries in Portlaoise. The council CEO and management are trying everything possible to get a replacement industry. As representatives we will do everything we can to support them.

"I was talking to young families who got out mortgages. I am hopeful that the chief and management are successful in looking for a replacement. I wish them well in their endeavours. The IDA or Enterprise Ireland will have to help. We got very little from them. It's a very serious situation," Cllr Fitzgerald said.

Cllr Paddy Buggy said he is confident.

"It was a huge disappointment for the town and for workers with mortgages and bills to pay. I am fairly confident that something can come. It's an excellent facility, an excellent site, and an excellent location, nationally and internationally.

"I'm confident something will happen and we will do everything we can to support it," he said.

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Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said it is a "huge loss".

"I hope to see somebody going into that factory," she said.

The cheese plant was a joint venture between Glanbia PLC and the US owned Leprino company. They paid €925,000 to Laois County Council for the 5 acre serviced site. Glanbia later sold their share of the business to the US company.

Laois County Council had bought the land and developed the enterprise park, to try and attract largescale jobs to Laois in the light of ongoing failures by the IDA to do so.