By Vicki Weller
THERE was an early Christmas gift for residents of Newbridge and surrounding areas yesterday afternoon (Monday 19) when it was announced that almost 100 new jobs are to be created at the Bord na Mona headquarters in Newbridge.
Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton was joined by Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Pat Rabbitte in Newbridge for the announcement that 91 jobs are to be created as part of a •6m investment in research and development over the next three years.
Newbridge, where the company currently employs around 300 people, is Bord na Mona’s R&D and innovation hub, and the major new investment comes in addition to the recent recruitment of 20 new personnel in high-tech positions, to be in place by March.
The 91 positions announced on Monday will also be geared towards a skilled, high-tech; graduate workforce and they are being created with the support of the government through Enterprise Ireland.
The investment of •6m in technologies of this sort is in line with the government’s stated objective of engaging in research and development on the use of natural resources, with a view to expanding indigenous employment.
Along with Ministers Bruton and Rabbitte, those in attendance at the Newbridge launch included Bord na Mona Chief Executive Gabriel D’Arcy and Frank Ryan, CEO of Enterprise Ireland.
The creation of new jobs at the Bord na Mona premises in Newbridge, which is located right in the town centre, is likely to have a long-term positive spin-off for the local economy. The announcement was welcomed by local public representatives including Kildare South TD Martin Heydon and the Mayor of Kildare, Micheál Nolan, along with the Newbridge Chamber of Commerce.
Bord na Mona also chose the occasion to make another announcement, in relation to fostering local employment and enterprise. The company is starting a new strategy involving assistance to start-up companies, offering mentoring, advice and facilities.