Midlands 103

Search

Listen Live

On Air Now

2:00am - 6:30am

The Late Night Mix

Cardigans

Lovefool

Meat Sector Rejects Claims It's A "Centre Of Covid" In Ireland

Tuesday, 13 April 2021 14:57

Meat plants were a hot spot for covid in the midlands last year.

The meat sector has rejected claims it is a "centre of Covid" in Ireland.

Although the industry says it has clamped down on virus cases, campaigners say it still has to do more.

When Kildare, Laois and Offaly went into lockdowns in August, meat plants were blamed after a huge number of Covid cases were recorded in local factories.

Cormac Healy, a senior director at Meat Industry Ireland, today told the Oireachtas enterprise committee that situation has now reversed.

He said that while the Covid positivity rate is about 4 per cent in pop up centres across Ireland, it’s now 10 times lower in meat plants:

But this was rejected by Solidarity-People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy:

Unions say one in five meat processing staff in Ireland has got Covid since the start of the pandemic, and urged companies to go even further to protect workers.

More from Midlands News

Concerns Raised Over National Lottery’s Handling Of Gambling Risks

The research also found that the age-verification system can be easily bypassed using falsified identification.
Over €73k Awarded To Midlands Schools For Sustainability Projects

Laois schools will receive the highest amount of funding.
Appeal Lodged Over Slieve Blooms Quarry Expansion

Anna and Michael Carroll say they are among six households living close to the site.
Westmeath Community Group Spreads Christmas Cheer To Families In Need

The Connaught Street Markets group is helping families this festive season.
Offaly Bike Shop Owner Calls For Tougher Penalties For Phone Use While Driving

Current phones users while driving receive a fine of €120.
Department Of Education Faces Almost 2,000 Teacher Vacancies

Almost 1,300 of those vacancies are in primary schools.
Midlands MEP Slams EU Commission President Over Mercosur Trade Deal Push

The signing is delayed until 2026.
Revenue Seize Over €455k In Contraband In The Midlands

282 weapons were also seized.
Westmeath Global Tech Company Set To Move Next Year

Ericsson could be moving to the Garrycastle IDA park.
Offaly TD Makes Call For Retail Crime Reporting Systems

Fine Gael's John Clendennen feels a grant will allow retailers to report crime more easily.
Westmeath Private Medical Campus Credits Public Health Cases For Success

The Charter Medical Campus in Mullingar is set to expand its Midlands workforce by up to 200 jobs.
Over 300 Irish Soldiers Spending Christmas In Lebanon

The 127th Infantry Battalion was deployed from Athlone's Custume Barracks.
Midlands Children’s Services Project Celebrates HSE Excellence Award Wins

HSE Dublin and Midlands region secured major success.
Midlands Towns And Villages To Receive €2.4m In Regeneration Funding

Offaly will receive the highest amount in the midlands.
Midlands Private School Principal Urges Inclusion In Free Books Scheme

The Irish Independent reports an annual €2,000 rise in private school costs.
F1 Prospect Alex Dunne Brushes Off Media Speculation

The Offaly man finished fifth in this year's F2 Championship.
Westmeath Sports Clubs Do 12 Laps of Christmas

The event kicks of tonight.
Emergency Services At Scene Of Offaly Crash

It happened on the R402 Daingean to Mount Lucas road this morning.
National Mercosur Protest Set For Midlands Next Month

Independent Ireland is organising the protest in Athlone for January.
It Can't Go on - Laois TD Hits Out At Assessment Of Needs Waiting Lists

Close to a thousand children in Laois and Offaly are waiting an average of two years.

Download Our App

Never miss a moment from Midlands 103