200 jobs to be announced today for Westmeath

 

Two hundred jobs are to be announced for Athlone today, when Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation officially turns the sod on the extension for the courier firm DPD Ireland.

The extension, which is due for completion by June 2016, will triple the capacity of DPD’s current operation.

According to the firm, the work - the result of an investment of over €13m - will future-proof DPD for a number of years to come.

Currently delivering almost 100,000 parcels daily throughout Ireland, DPD’s investment is in preparation for the continuing growth in e-commerce and overall improvement in Irish market conditions.

Deputies Gabrielle McFadden and James Bannon have both warmly welcomed the news.

Said Deputy Bannon: “This is another real boost for the Midlands in terms of job creation following on from the recent Centre Parcs announcement. I am delighted that DPD Ireland have decided to invest €13 million at its headquarters in Athlone which will see the building and sortation facility double in size from 50,000 to 100,000 sq ft. As a result, 200 additional jobs will be created over five years, with 70 being filled between now and Christmas.”

Said Deputy McFadden: “I want to pay credit to DPD who have given Athlone and this region another major endorsement with this multi-million euro investment. It’s no coincidence that DPD’s substantial expansion comes at a time when this Government has steered our country away from the brink of economic collapse to a period of economic recovery.”