The mystery of the 50 jobs!
There have been repeated references in the press to 50 jobs…
…but even in the planning application that is not stated.
The highest figure in the application is 20-40 jobs and this is determined by the number of car parking spaces outlined in the application.
The new RTP Company Polish factory, which is almost twice the size as the one proposed for Skibbereen, employs only 25 people.
The first mention of 50 jobs comes from the article about the rezoning of the site in December 2015.
Green belt rezoning for factory in Skibbereen raises jobs boost hopes
““Details of the factory are not being disclosed at present by the IDA, but we have learned that the company proposing to build it will employ in the region of 40 to 50 people,” said Mr Joe Carroll, the local FF Councillor.”
The following year in The Examiner, the 50 jobs are mentioned again but without source or evidence.
IDA urged to up ante in attracting jobs to West Cork ‘outback’
The article mentions that :
“An Irish-American family with very strong links to the region approached the county council and the IDA to get a site rezoned from agricultural to industrial in the hope of building a plant which will employ up to 50 people.”
The Southern Star takes up the baton in April 2017 with Joe Carroll once more providing the quotes.
US plastics firm plans to create 50 jobs in Skibbereen
“Local Fianna Fáil Cllr Joe Carroll welcomed the application saying: ‘If granted, it will be good news for the region because it could create between 40 and 50 jobs in the area.’”
It is like we are either going around in circles or the proposed plant is actually going to be bigger than stated in the planning application.
And then in July 2017, we have an article quoting Danny Miles, who is the vice-president and managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, of the RTP Company. Surely, we are going to hear the official number of jobs that will be created. Surely, our local newspaper will ask the question.
Plastics factory boss: ‘We want to be part of the Skibbereen community’
“In his statement, Mr Miles said: ‘We look forward to expanding our global operations into the West Cork region. We continue to work with your local officials to provide them with all the information necessary to bring this project to Skibbereen.’
Mr Miles explained that Daly Products Ltd is a family-owned business with ties to the area.
He said: ‘The spouse of the owner, and namesake of the company, was born and raised in West Cork.’
According to Mr Miles, Daly Products Ltd ‘is eager to work with and become part of the local community just as we have done in our 18 manufacturing sites around the world, providing enhanced services to our customers in Ireland and greater Europe, and bringing jobs and opportunity to your neighbourhood.’ Local Cllr Joe Carroll has been a strong supporter of the plan since it was first mooted.”
So. No mention of the 50 jobs. No mention of them but they keep being mentioned again and again without question.
You would think that if jobs is the number one reason this factory is being located in Skibbereen we would have heard exactly how many are coming.
The latest report comes from the Sunday Times on June 17th, 2018.
Skibbereen stars join plastic factory protest
Again there is an unsourced statement – “Those behind the project say the factory will provide about 40 jobs, with this number increasing in the future.”
In the planning application, there is defintely no indication given or offered that this factory is setting a plan of expansion.
Joe Carroll, is once again quoted, and in light of all the above, probably gives the most ironic statement of all.
“There is a lot of misinformation about how the factory will affect the environment and lots of people are alarmed. The council would never support a factory that would hurt the environment.”
We would ask Mr Carroll to clarify his source on the jobs number he quotes again and again.
We would also like his comment on the news today, June 18th 2018, that Ireland is the second-worst European country for tackling climate change.
Ireland second-worst European country for tackling climate change
The country ahead of us in this table is Poland. Site of RTP Company’s other new European production facility which opened in 2017.
How many jobs have been created there at a production site twice the size of the proposed Skibbereen site?
RTP to reopen Nevada plant, grow in Wisconsin and Poland
“The new plant has room for as many as six extrusion lines and is expected to employ at least 25.”
25 jobs?
50 jobs?
40 jobs?
What other information is wrong? If you know how many jobs are being created and you can provide us with evidence, please send it to info@saveourskibbereen.ie.
We would like to know. We would also like our public representatives to let us know what they know.