Efforts are underway to support a popular chocolate factory in Ballinskelligs Bay in the south Kerry Gaeltacht.<\/p>\n
Skelligs Chocolates in Finian\u2019s Bay, a handmade confectionery business founded thirty years ago, and known nationally and internationally, has come under pressure after a change of hands and companies.<\/p>\n
The business itself was doing well\u00a0\u2014 \u201ceveryone liked chocolate\u201d \u2014 but was in difficulty after changing hands, the meeting of Kenmare Municipal District was told.<\/p>\n
The meeting was also told how businesses in Kerry that had been doing well were closing, and there was a need for a local authority fund to support them.<\/p>\n
The business is \u201ca beacon\u201d for coastal and Gaeltacht areas and has a dedicated workforce, councillors said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know anyone that doesn\u2019t like chocolate. First of all it\u2019s extremely unusual it’s there at all and it would be very disappointing to lose it,\u201d Independent councillor Johnny Healy-Rae said.<\/p>\n
He urged support by the council for the chocolate factory. There are 25 people employed by the company which is of\u00a0huge importance to\u00a0 the area, he said.<\/p>\n
Councillor Healy-Rae’s motion called for everything possible to be done. Skelligs not only produced the finest of chocolate and had a well established brand, but it was also a huge visitor attraction for the area, he said.<\/p>\n
Cathaoirleach of the Kenmare MD, Councillor Norma Moriarty seconded the motion and said:<\/p>\n
\u201cSkellig Chocolates is a beacon of what’s possible in Gaeltacht areas. \u00dadar\u00e1s are working behind the scenes. This business is not failing. It\u2019s a solid good business. It changed hands and difficulties were encountered. It is vitally important to the Gaeltacht of Iveragh. Twenty-five families are impacted.<\/p>\n
“The product is solid. The business is solid. We just have to ensure it can be rescued,\u201d Councillor Moriarty said.<\/p>\n
The request to support the business was unanimously supported.<\/p>\n
Councillor Tommy Cahill said part of the council\u2019s multi-million euro budget should be set aside to shore up businesses in Kerry that are doing well but that are nonetheless closing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The council had just passed a budget of \u20ac248m. It had to consider \u201ca rainy day fund\u201d for businesses, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBusinesses that are doing well are closing down,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The council said the chocolate company was a client of \u00dadar\u00e1s na Gaeltachta. \u201cKerry County Council has engaged with both the company and \u00dadar\u00e1s, to ensure that the company is aware of all available supports,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
\u00dadar\u00e1s na Gaeltachta said: “As the regional development agency for the Gaeltacht, we understand the importance of this company in terms of employment and for the local economy. We are closely monitoring the situation, and we are committed to providing support to the company and to examining all available options to help secure its future and protect employment in the area. We will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders as the situation develops,” it said.<\/p>\n