Business Supports
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-28
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Peter Burke (FG), Longford-Westmeath

I thank the Deputy for his very important question. Enterprise Ireland supported the owners of the factory in Carrickmacross over a number of years as they sought to establish themselves as an infant formula and nutrition providers manufacturer. In March 2025, the company informed Enterprise Ireland that the business was no longer viable in Ireland due to inflationary pressures and market conditions. The company had intended to produce infant formula for the Chinese market. A number of factors have impacted on demand for imported formula in China, including a switch away from imported products and rapid growth in locally produced products. There has also been a significant decline in the Chinese birth rate over the past decade. As a result, the owners of the factory took the decision to sell the plant in Carrickmacross and appointed an Irish agent to support the sale process. They are actively seeking interest from potential purchasers of the facility and discussions have taken place with a number of interested parties. This process is ongoing and Enterprise Ireland continues to support the company by facilitating introductions to potential buyers where appropriate. Active promotion of the facility is being undertaken and further expressions of interest are being sought by the company both in Ireland and internationally. The Department keeps in regular contact with Enterprise Ireland about that important site. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Niamh Smyth, is very much linked in with it as well. Enterprise Ireland will continue to liaise with the agent in supporting the promotion of the facility to the relevant potential purchasers as a matter of priority.
My Department remains committed to driving balanced regional development, including in the north east. Enterprise Ireland supported 84 companies in Monaghan and 66 companies in Cavan in 2025. These companies employ more than 14,000 people. The north-east region enterprise plan is also focused on delivering a range of collaborative initiatives to strengthen the enterprise environment in the region.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-28/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:52+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-28