Guinness Ireland has announced it is to invest €38m in its Dundalk and Waterford breweries. Enterprise Ireland is supporting the investment.
Guinness is owned by the multinational food and drinks giant, Diageo.
The Waterford brewery is to be converted to a new state-of-the-art production facility costing €34m, while a further €4m will be invested in the Dundalk plant.
The Tánaiste said she was pleased with the development. Mary Harney said that the investment in production facilities and new technology was required to meet the increasing demand for the special ingredients used to brew Guinness at 50 breweries across the world.
Regarding the Waterford facility, the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment said the expansion would underpin the long-term viability of brewing in the city.
Guinness stout export volumes have grown by 9% each year for the past three years.
It is understood that, while some jobs will be created in the building or the upgrading of facilities and installing new technology, no new permanent jobs will be provided as a result of these investments.
