EU’s green light for Dublin to give funding to cheesemaker

THE European Commission has given the Government the go-ahead to provide one of Ireland’s biggest cheesemakers with almost €6million in State aid.

Carbery Food Ingredients, best known for making Dubliner Cheese, is spending just under €80million on a plant so it can diversify from its exclusive production of cheddar, which is generally only eaten in Ireland and Britain.

The Commission cleared the proposed investment by the State of up to €5.75million, which will now be considered by the board of Enterprise Ireland.

If approved, the money will go towards a new processing plant and the purchase and installation of equipment to allow the company produce mozzarella cheese, which is popular in southern Europe.

Carbery employs more than 500 people in west Cork as well as supporting an estimated 1,260 farmers.

Enterprise Minister Heather Humphreys said: ‘I am delighted to have received this very positive news today following many months of engagement on the case.

‘I met with Commissioner Hogan late last year who has worked very closely with me to ensure we got the green light today.

‘Supporting market diversification is a key part of the Government’s Brexit response and I would like to commend Carbery Food Ingredients for standing ready to pursue this important project.’