New Bord na Mona layoffs 'devastating' for local economy

Deputy Denis Naughten said today's news of 150 temporary layoffs by Bord na Mona at Mount Dillon in Roscommon would have a "devastating" impact on the economy locally. 

The former Minister is planning to debate the issue with Minister Richard Bruton in the Dáil today (Thursday). 

Bord na Mona said it was laying off 78 seasonal workers with immediate effect, and another 72 permanent workers from next Thursday, as a consequence of the shutdown of the ESB power plant in Lanesboro last week due to environmental licensing issues.

"This announcement by Bord na Mona will have a devastating impact on employees, their families and the local economy of communities in County Roscommon and County Longford," stated Denis Naughten. 

"Every effort must now be taken to get this plant up and running in the short term and plans for new alternative long-term jobs in the area must be expedited," he added. 

In a statement, Bord na Mona said it had arranged a meeting with the group of unions representing workers for tomorrow (Friday) in order to "work through this process and review all options".

"It is unfortunate that the company has had to take this course of action and it looks forward to a resolution of the issues at the earliest opportunity," the Bord na Mona statement concluded.