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LAST UPDATE | 25 Jul 2024
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY VIATRIS has announced that it will close its Little Island plant in Cork by 2028, impacting around 200 employees.
The Cork factory is a pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing plant, and a Viatris spokesperson said the company will wind down operations over the next several years.
The spokesperson said there will be no immediate job losses and that it is expected that the majority of staff at the Little Island site will remain employed until the plant shuts down in early 2028.
The spokesperson remarked that the decision follows a “thorough assessment of the site, which unfortunately concluded it was no longer viable due to challenging market and site dynamics”.
The company also pointed to “declining demand” which it says has resulted in an “underutilization of our production capacities” at the Little Island site.
The spokesperson added that Viatris “will still maintain a significant presence in Ireland” after the closure of the Little Island plant and that the remaining operations in Ireland will continue.
Viatris also has a plant in Galway, two sites in Dublin, as well as a corporate office also in Dublin.
In 2020, Viatris announced the closure of a plant in Baldoyle, Dublin, which resulted in the loss of around 450 jobs, and this was followed a year later with the loss of around 70 jobs from its corporate office.
The spokesperson said the decision to close the Cork plant was “not taken lightly by Viatris” and that it is “committed to treating those impacted fairly and with respect” and will work with “unions and other employee representatives on a plan for the reduction of staff”.
“Today’s announcement in no way reflects upon the company’s genuine appreciation for the commitment and work ethic of the people in and community of Little Island,” said Viatris.
The company added that it is “grateful for the dedication exhibited at this site and its remaining workforce in Ireland will continue to play an important role in the company’s future”.
Speaking this morning, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said his “sympathies” are with the staff at the Little Island site and that they are his “first priority”.
“We will galvanize all the state agencies to work to support the workers in terms of securing alternative employment and in supporting their needs, and we will engage with the company,” said Martin.
He added that there have been “good announcements in Cork recently in terms of new developments, new employments” and expressed hope that “within the broader Cork economy, there will be capacity to secure alternative employment”.
“But no one ever likes to see companies reduce its workforce and our thoughts are with the workers and their families in this case,” said Martin.
Meanwhile, Cork Chamber said the announcement by Viatris is a “challenging situation for all involved”.
It said that the commitment that there will be no immediate job losses “offers some help”.
“The demand for skilled and talented employees remains high across the region, and we would be very optimistic that those affected will find new employment opportunities,” said Cathal McSweeney, director of public affairs at Cork Chamber.
He added: “The site occupied by Viatris in Little Island has a long history in serving the pharma industry and we would be confident that it offers great potential for future development.
Viatris said it will “consider alternatives for the site outside of the company’s network”.
Meanwhile, SIPTU has requested an urgent meeting with the management Viatris following today’s announcement.
SIPTU organiser Ciara McMahon-Flavin said it is a “shocking development”.
“The announcement was unexpected and we are seeking an urgent meeting with the company to discuss all options to ensure the future of operations at this site,” said McMahon-Flavin.
She called on the Government to intervene and added: “The plant has provided quality unionised jobs and their loss would be devastating to our members and their families.”
SIPTU sector organiser Andrea Cleere added that SIPTU will enage with Viatris “to explore all alternative options to these proposed redundancies”.
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Not to mention abandoned, by their siblings and treated like staff. There’s always one in the family that takes on the minding, and the rest take the “Micheal”.
The Micheal takers will be the first to have their hands out when the will is read.
@HisMastersAlibi: Unfortunately seen all too often. Some people have no morals.
Wow yet another survey that confirms what is common knowledge.
I’d say another three or four surveys will definitely fix this issue.
Well done to all that voted for more of this.
There is nothing about the unpaid carers who were denied their pensions under the 2012 legislation, they gave their lives to caring when caring was not even recognised and then found they had no entitlements when the caring was done, shame on FFG and those parties who have not changed such demonic legislation. Old age pensioners with no entitlement to an old age pension in their own country.
It makes me laugh when a survey states that loneliness is one of the biggest factors for carers. As a carer for nearly the whole of my 67 years, first helping to look after grandparents, then parents and for 38 years looking after a disabled child, I can tell you we may be lonely but more often than not we’re in a dark pit of depression and despair as well. Most carers see no future for themselves or their loved ones. I’m so glad my other child emigrated and won’t be coming back, as I don’t want her to go through what her father and I have over the years. She’s deserves the life the government and the HSE deprived us of.
@rosemary flowers: that is a big thing that is rarely acknowledged that carers as well as those they care for go through heavy levels of depression and anxiety throughout they’re lives,it’s not something to be taken likely at all.
Dont bother reading the next report which will be a report into the last report.I wouldnt hold my breath until the final report comes either.
@Willie Marty: ‘lessons learned’
‘We have an obligation to help those who enter the country’ – roderic o gorman.
Sod those that are currently in it regardless of nationality. The situation for carers and people who need help is set to worsen thanks to what’s in power,fabulous job up to now. Most parents won’t have they’re children to help them when they get old as they will have had to emigrate. Sod them aswel I suppose worked hard all they’re lives. The housing crisis is accelerating rapidly with waffle and useless timewasting in the dail with the same clowns. Whoever votes these fools back in and complains should shut up altogether.
Just when online to see what the average care giver salary in Ireland is. It is €28,696 p/a…. So here’s a mad thought for our Minister of Health to consider. Why not hire the full time (24/7…365) stay at home care givers on a salary of €28,686 , tax them on this income, charge them PRSI and USC on this as well , so as to ensure they are contributing towards a contributory pension down the road. Even if they were taxed at the low rate of tax, they would come out with at least €24,000 in their hand p/a = €461 p/w …. still not a fair salary for the work they do but at least it’s a better contribution than what they are on now.
@MIchael Costello: what care giver is on 29000 a year. They must be working 18.5 hours. Or are you including spouses income.
@MIchael Costello: or are you talking about care employees. In the private sector. Their average pay scale is probably about that amount.
Cost living doesn’t help bit government dont care and Irish people keep voting same bookers in
have your say