The owner of Supermac’s has announced plans to create 300 new jobs across six regions in the midlands.
Speaking at an event in the Killeshin Hotel this afternoon, Mr McDonagh was joined by Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation Heather Humphreys in making the announcement.
Minister Heather Humphreys revealed that around 100 of the jobs will come to Laois out of the total of 300.
She said: “I’m delighted to be here today in Portlaoise to announce that Portlaoise and the SO Hotel Group are creating 300 new jobs.
“That’s right, 300 new jobs in six regional locations. Today’s announcement will see three new Supermac’s outlets open in Wexford, Waterford and Kinnegad.
“It will see continued development of the three hotels in the SO Group – the Killeshin Hotel here in Portlaoise, the Athlone Springs and the Castle Oaks in Limerick.
“Together, these three hotels will create a further 100 jobs and I am delighted to hear there will be a significant investment right here in the Killeshin in Portlaosie.
“I’m also delighted to see there are plans to build another Supermac’s in Portlaoise and it is brilliant to see an Irish company creating local jobs.”
Supermac’s has also gone to planning for new plaza developments in Letterkenny, Longford, Ennis and Portlaoise with the promise of 300 more jobs down the line.
Speaking at the announcement, owner Pat McDonagh said he is looking forward to continue to work in Laois.
He said: “There is a special thrill for me in making this announcement here in Portlaoise. I firmly believe that the future of Ireland relies on active partnership.
“This must be real partnership between government, local government and private enterprise.”
Among those attending the event were Monsignor John Byrne, Chief superintendent John Scanlan, Anna May and Anna Marie McHugh, Laois TDs Charlie Flanagan and Sean Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council John King, Laois County councillors Caroline Dwane Stanley and Catherine Fitzgerald, Evelyn Reddin from Laois Local Enterprise Office, Manager of the Killeshin Hotel Michael Murphy and Jackie Carroll and Rose Bergin from Big Idea Consulting – who are overseeing the Laois Tourism strategy.
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