Chimney cleaner provides 300 new jobs

Around 300 new jobs are to be created in the South East Galway area by the end of the year when a local businessman commences the manufacture of a unit that automates the cleaning of chimneys as well as preventing house fires.

The product is currently in production in the Limerick area but the businessman intends opening a new plant near Portumna by the end of the year which will provide some valuable employment locally.

Already there is interest from the UK, Europe, America, Canada and South Africa in the product which eliminates householders having to clean their chimneys again.

The new jobs created would mainly be in the manufacturing end but there will be also positions created in the installation of the units as well as in the administrative sector.

And the inventor of Chimney Safe, Frank Forde from Abbey, Loughrea told the Connacht Tribune that the Thatcher’s Association in England, who have 54,000 registered thatched cottages, have also made several inquiries about the product.

The new business has received financial support from Enterprise Ireland and the North Tipperary County Enterprise Board and the product has already found its way into homes in Galway, Offaly and Tipperary.