G4S to close Monksland depot
A major transport company has blamed “challenging trading circumstances” for the decision to close its Monksland depot.
G4S Cash Solutions (Ireland) Ltd, confirmed local speculation circulating over the last few days that they will shut their base at Daneswell Business Park, Monksland.
The closure during this year is part of a nationwide restructuring programme aimed at underpinning the company’s operations in Ireland, a G4S statement explained, with the 20 local employees redeployed to other branches.
Niall Feely, Managing Director for G4S Ireland, said it is with great regret that the firm, who employ 600 people in Ireland, are closing the Athlone branch.
“This follows a significant review of our operations during the summer. We are working with our employees, unions and our customers to ensure that there is no disruption to our cash services in the Athlone area and we will continue to provide excellent service to our customers from our Galway, Sligo, Limerick and Dublin branches.”
“We will be redeploying staff to other branches with the aim to secure as many jobs as possible,” he insisted amid potential fears for the 20 local jobs.
Highlighting the issue on Wednesday last, Fianna Fáil’s Cllr John Keogh, who lives in Monksland, said that this is devastating news for the area but more importantly, for the employees of G4S Cash Solution Services.
“This is a major blow to the area of Monksland which is where the depot is located. Employees who have long service with the company in the locality have been advised that there will be voluntary redundancy for employees wishing to avail of that option or alternatively employees can choose to be redeployed within the company to Sligo, Galway, Limerick or Dublin,” he said.
“This decision makes no sense whatsoever. It is clear that there is a market for these services in the midlands area. As I understand matters, this may leave restricted cash facility services for the midlands region as G4S Cash Solutions Services controls the market share in this area,” the South Roscommon-based public representative continued.
Cllr Keogh encouraged the Management of G4S Cash Solution Services to immediately reverse this decision. Failing that, he called on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton to intervene in the matter and seek expressions of interest to fill the vacancy in the sector that is being created by this decision.
He believes employees have been given two weeks to consider matters before having to make a decision.
“The Cash in Transit (CIT) market in Ireland has been operating in very challenging circumstances for all providers for some time,” Managing Director for G4S Ireland, Niall Feely added in the company statement.
“With the economic downturn, demand for cash has decreased significantly over the last couple of years leading to a 27% decline in volumes in the market place. Prices for services are coming under pressure while costs have remained high due to the requirement to maintain a country-wide network for customers,” he continued.
The firm stressed that the decision has no impact on the G4S security, fire or manned security businesses that operate in Athlone. Business will continue as usual for customers.
G4S Cash Solutions (Ireland) Ltd has more than 600 employees and operates a fleet of almost 180 vehicles, servicing a network of eight branches across the country.