Job creation and 'community benefit’ to be considered in Offaly factory sale
Bord na Móna has said issues such as “employment generation” and “overall community benefit” will be taken into consideration in its planned sale of the former Derrinlough briquette factory in Offaly.
The proposal to sell off the factory, which closed permanently earlier this year, has proven controversial.
The facility was first advertised for sale on the Daft.ie website last month but the advertisement was taken down some days later after concerns about the sale were raised by the SIPTU trade union, TD Barry Cowen, and others.
The advertisement for the site has since been re-activated on Daft.ie, with amended wording which states that “expressions of interest” are being sought “for the future use” of the former briquette factory situated between Cloghan and Birr.
The ad lists “selection criteria” for prospective purchasers of the site, which include “employment generation opportunities, sustainability credentials, climate action contribution and overall community benefit”.
It goes on to state that the site has a gross external footprint of 15,281 square metres, and “would suit a wide variety of industrial and warehousing processes”.
In a statement, TD Barry Cowen said he welcomed “a commitment by Bord na Móna that it will explore a range of options” for the Derrinlough factory, saying the company had responded to the concerns he raised.
“In correspondence to me this week, Bord na Móna has committed to reviewing a range of potential options for this site and has commenced a process seeking expressions of interest,” said the Fianna Fáil representative.
“Bord na Móna expects this process will take a number of months, and no decision will be made on the future use of the site until this process concludes.
“I am also pleased Bord na Móna has now engaged extensively with the group of Unions in relation to the Derrinlough factory closure and confirmed it will be exploring alternative options for the use of the site post-closure and will consider any proposals that they make for the site as part of the overall process.”
He went on to say he was confident “an enterprise that will create employment” would emerge at Derrinlough, along with a “centre to recognise the area's extraordinary social history and its place in Ireland's society” over generations.
“It is wrong there is not a Museum of the Midlands already developed by Bord na Mona and the ESB, given all they have extracted from it, but Derrinlough may now create the dynamic for it and for more jobs.”
He added that the concept of a museum chronicling the history of Bord na Mona in the region had public support.
“It would also have the support of local representatives and the local authority who, together with relevant stakeholders, look forward to advancing this concept and making it a reality,” said Deputy Cowen.