39 Jobs To Go In Carnew As ProAmpac Plan To Move Production To Donegal

Carnew Plant Closure Plans laid bare as Workers, unions and local TDs react as packaging firm confirms consultation process

Concerns are mounting for 39 workers at ProAmpac's manufacturing facility in Carnew, Co. Wicklow, after the company confirmed it has entered a formal consultation process that could see the plant close, with production transferred to a sister site in Gweedore, Co. Donegal.

In a letter to customers ProAmpac Europe President Francis Minogue confirmed the company had entered a consultation process regarding the Carnew facility, including a proposal to relocate its manufacturing assets to other sites within the group.

The letter states that any receiving facility would be an established ProAmpac location "with proven operational excellence, an experienced and resilient workforce and reliable capabilities."

The company said it would contact customers directly once the consultation concludes, including confirming where their products will be manufactured and supplied from in future.

ProAmpac, an American-owned company, has operated the Carnew plant since 1991, primarily supplying flexible food packaging.

The facility employs 39 staff, all drawn from the south Wicklow and north Wexford area.

Workers were informed of the company's plans this week and have now entered a 30-day formal consultation period.

ProAmpac has indicated redeployment opportunities may be available at its Donegal site, though local representatives have questioned how realistic that option is for a workforce based on the other side of the country.

"A devastating blow"

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow-Wexford, Brian Brennan, described the news as a serious setback for the local community.

Deputy Brennan said he spoke directly with ProAmpac's European management and visited the site to meet staff and their union representatives as the 30-day consultation period got underway.

He said his office would support workers through the process, with the immediate priority being to ensure staff receive their full legal entitlements.

Calls for State intervention

Sinn Féin TD Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin said he contacted the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment as soon as he learned of the closure plan, and called for the immediate activation of the State's Job Loss Response Protocol. He has also been in direct contact with ProAmpac management seeking clarity for workers.

Deputy Ó Súilleabháin noted the plant has been "a cornerstone of employment" in south Wicklow and north Wexford for more than 30 years, and raised specific concern over the redundancy terms reportedly on offer.

According to the Deputy, workers are being offered only the statutory entitlement — understood to be capped at two weeks' pay per year of service, up to a maximum of 17 years — despite some employees having given over 20 years of service, with a number nearing retirement age.

He has called on Government to work with IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Office and the Department of Social Protection to ensure affected workers get every available support, including retraining and upskilling.

He also urged IDA Ireland to actively market the Carnew site to potential investors in a bid to secure replacement jobs for the area.

Question of redeployment dismissed 

Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne, who also confirmed he was briefed directly by ProAmpac management last week, echoed concerns about the practicality of redeployment to Donegal, noting all 39 workers are based in the south Wicklow/north Wexford area.

Deputy Byrne said he has been liaising with the Department of Social Protection and the IDA, and met with Wicklow County Council chief executive Eimear Gorman, who indicated the council and Local Enterprise Office would provide support.

He also said he has contacted Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board regarding upskilling and retraining options for affected staff, and pointed to potential opportunities across the wider south Wicklow area, from Tinahely and Shillelagh to Rathdrum, Aughrim and Gorey.

Deputy Byrne drew a contrast with the separate situation at Merck's Arklow plant, where a full order book runs until 2028, giving the IDA more time to seek a replacement industry.

By comparison, he said the Carnew closure could unfold within as little as six months, meaning support for workers needs to be put in place quickly.

What happens next

ProAmpac's 30-day consultation period with the 39 affected staff is now underway. The company has said it will contact customers directly once the process concludes, confirming any changes to where their products are manufactured.

Local TDs across three parties say they are continuing to engage with company management, State agencies and worker representatives in the coming weeks.