Trade Minister Mary Coughlan has voiced her support for the restructuring of a Shannon-based building materials producer.

Element Six has accepted proposals by local management, with the support of the Government through Shannon Development, that could save an additional 160 jobs at its manufacturing facility.

The proposal, which would bring to 240 the number of jobs to be retained by Element Six in Shannon, will involve significant restructuring and adjustment to the cost base at the facility.


In welcoming the plan, Ms Coughlan said its implementation "would not be without challenges" for management and workers at the facility, but that maintenance of the greatest possible number of jobs that are secure and sustainable in the long-term must be the priority.

She concluded by noting that consultation between the company and those workers who are to be made redundant at the facility on the terms of the redundancy package on offer will continue over the coming weeks.

(PR/KMcA)