MINISTER OF STATE for Food Tom Hayes intends to meet with management at Dawn Fresh Foods after the company announced it is closing its plant in Tipperary with the loss of over 100 jobs.

In total 104 jobs will go at the plant, which makes ready meals and other products, in Fethard in Co Tipperary over a phased basis with all employees laid off by the end of the year.

The news comes after a period of continuing losses for the company which has suffered as a result of the recent horsemeat scandal which has seen consumers reduce their consumption of ready meals.

Hayes, a Fine Gael TD for Tipperary South, says he will meet with managing director Peter Queely and senior management to discuss the immediate future of staff and secure “the best package available” for employees being laid off.

“My initial thoughts are with the families of the staff of those concerned at this difficult time. I will be meeting with the staff and management in the coming days to discuss this announcement and the future plans for the plant,” Hayes said.

The junior minister added that the company had a responsibility to ensure that the state of the art facility in Fethard remains viable on the long term.

Hayes added: “This state of the art facility was producing ten million units of ready meals per annum and I am keen to investigate, with management, all possibilities to ensure that a viable future can be secured.”

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