180 construction jobs are to be created following expansion plans announced by Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society in Co Cavan.

The investment has been supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland.

Construction will start immediately and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, turned the first sod on the new development together with Alo Duffy, Chairman of Lakeland Dairies and Group Chief Executive, Michael Hanley.

The overall development will lead to the creation of 81 jobs across the Lakeland Dairies Group over a five-year period. Up to 180 construction jobs will also be created by contractors during the building, installation and commissioning phases for the new processing facilities.

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Minister Bruton said: "Ireland's food industry offers massive potential for regional employment, which is a major focus of the Government's 2015 Action Plan for Jobs. The removal of milk quotas later this year offers huge opportunities that we intend to exploit in a planned and strategic way in order to support jobs growth across every region in Ireland.

"Today's announcement of 81 extra jobs in Bailieboro through a €36m investment, supported by my Department through Enterprise Ireland is a great boost for Cavan and the Border region.

"At the heart of our jobs plan is creating a powerful engine of Irish enterprise alongside the strong multinational sector. Investment by Irish businesses like Lakeland Dairies is more likely to be in rural areas, and has a massive knock-on impact on the local economy, through construction, supply and service businesses.

"With continued implementation of our plan, I am determined to ensure that we can see more announcements like this in the coming years across every region of Ireland."

(CD/JP)