Taoiseach urged to take 'personal interest' in future of Leprino site
Laois Fine Gael TD Willie Aird has called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to "take a personal interest" in securing new investment for the Leprino Foods manufacturing facility in Portlaoise.
Raising the issue in the Dáil this week, Deputy Aird said the closure of the plant represented a major challenge for the town but also an opportunity to attract a new company to a modern, fully equipped facility.
In 2025, Leprino Foods announced it would close its Portlaoise cheese manufacturing plant, with operations expected to cease in the second half of 2026. The move marks the exit of the US cheese company’s production footprint from the Republic of Ireland.
The facility was originally developed as a joint venture between Glanbia and the Leprino family, which is known worldwide for its mozzarella cheese production, before Leprino Foods later acquired full ownership.
Potential
Deputy Aird told the Taoiseach the site was a significant economic asset for Laois, located in the Portlaoise Enterprise Park close to Junction 17.
“This is a €130 million facility with modern equipment already in place and significant taxpayer investment involved,” he said.
“It is a factory that is ready to operate and has the potential to support further growth in the food sector.”
The Laois TD called on the Taoiseach to engage with the relevant government departments and agencies to find a new investor for the site.
“I asked the Taoiseach to use his good offices and take a personal interest in this issue,” Deputy Aird said.
“We need the relevant ministers, Enterprise Ireland and the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to work together to make sure this opportunity is not lost.”
Deputy Aird said the fact that the facility was available should make it attractive to potential investors.
“It is in our enterprise park, it is a modern facility, it has excellent infrastructure and it is ready for a company to come in and invest.”
Responding in the Dáil, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he would ask Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke to engage with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA on the future of the site.
The Taoiseach said the facility appeared to be a modern asset that another enterprise could potentially utilise, adding that he would examine what could be done with the state agencies.
Deputy Aird welcomed the commitment, but said action was needed to ensure the opportunity was not missed.
“This site represents a major opportunity for Portlaoise and Co. Laois," he said.
"We need a focused effort now to secure an investor who can bring jobs and economic activity to the area.”
