TAFC GOT SEVERAL STATE GRANTS
THE Authentic Food Company (TAFC) which called in liquidators to its Dundalk facility last month, benefitted from a number of government grand aids, it has emerged.
Having bought the former Heinz plant in 2015, the UK based Authentic Foods were awarded state grant supports, which were outlined by Minister Heather Humphries in the Dail.
Speaking on the government’s response to the closure,the Minister said:
‘ The announcement by the Authentic Food Company that it is to close down is very disappointing. The Government’s immediate concern is for those workers directly affected by this announcement in this very difficult time for them and their families. The Government will make every State support available to these employees.’
My Department, through Enterprise Ireland (EI), has had a strong active engagement with the Authentic Food Company before, during and since they acquired their Dundalk facility. EI has supported the company with grant aid in the forms of Lean Transform, multiple Technical Feasibility Studies and an Innovation Partnership with Dundalk Institute of Technology. The EI Brexit Unit services were also made available to the company.
She outlined seven meetings between EI and the Authentic Food Company held in 2017 and three meetings have taken place to date in 2018. ‘In addition, as Mr Basran is based in the UK, two phone calls were held recently with Mr. Basran,’ said the Minister.
‘We will collectively, across Government, do our utmost to help these workers transition and find new employment opportunities.
Notwithstanding this extremely disappointing news, it’s important to remember that the overall trend in terms of job creation in the region is positive. There is every reason to be confident that we will find new investment and new opportunities for the employees of the Authentic Food Company.’