Tánaiste Launches Limerick Enterprise Development Park New Beginning for Former Krups Plant

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Friday 4th February, 2000) launched the Limerick Enterprise Development Park, at the site of the former Krups Plant in Limerick.

Speaking at the launch the Tánaiste said that "todays launch is a fine example of the type of project which the Government envisaged funding when it introduced the New Community Enterprise Centre Initiative. It was only last November that I announced the allocation of funding of £1.04 Million to this project and I am delighted to see such progress at this early stage."

The Business Park when fully developed will have a mix of large business units and small business incubations units. It will also have facilities for community education and training in an area with there is a high concentration of long term unemployed people.

"I want to compliment the Limerick public and private sector for joining together in a very innovative and unique partnership. The model developed and implemented by the Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership can become a working model in Irish and EU terms where communities have to face daunting challenges such as Limerick had with the Krups closure," the Tánaiste said.

"The speed and efficiency of this response is very impressive as it is just 14 months since Group Moulinex announced the closure of the Limerick Krups Plant by June 1999, The Task Force that I set up in November 1998 had sourced anchor tenants, Irish Multi Channel and C.E.R.T. by June 1999 to coincide with the formal closure of the Krups Operation in Limerick. This is a tremendous achievement and when the refurbishment of this plant is completed by June 2000, it will host 200 jobs. I commend Limerick Corporation who spearheaded this unique innovative partnership involving Limerick County Council, the Roman Catholic Diocese, the P.A.U.L. Partnership, Shannon Development, the Limerick Enterprise Network, the Foundation of Investment in Communities, and the Limerick City Enterprise Board," the Tánaiste concluded.