Healthcare plant gets 1,000 jobs boost

Neans McSweeney

US-owned medical firm, Guidant, is to provide the jobs on a phased basis, beginning with 50 positions next year.

The company designs, develops and manufactures products such as pacemakers for the treatment of heart disease.

The firm is located at the old Digital and Seagate site both of which closed over the last decade. Seagate shut in December 1997 with the loss of 1,400 jobs and Digital shut in 1992 when 350 were put out of work.

Guidant expects to create 500 manufacturing jobs over the next three years, with plans to add 500 more as the operations develop. 50 will be created next year and 350 more in 2006 and 2007. The remaining jobs will be filled over the next four years.

The investment is supported by IDA Ireland and the jobs will require Leaving Certificate and third-level diploma, certificate and degree qualifications.

The project involves the construction of a 125,000 sq. ft. building at the site.

Announcing the investment the Tánaiste said: "This project involves the manufacture of sophisticated products. It represents an important endorsement of Ireland's ability to attract large-scale, technology-driven projects.

"Securing this project demonstrates yet again the country's competitiveness and sends a very positive signal to other international companies that Ireland is a leading location for such investment."

Vice-president and managing director of Guidant in Clonmel, Ger Cronin, said the availability of the facilities, the excellent site and the support of IDA Ireland and the people of Clonmel was critical to the company's success over the past six years.

Clonmel mayor Denis Dunne said: "Clonmel is doing well. But the more jobs we get the better. What we now have to do is develop the hotels and other infrastructure to ensure that the town continues to thrive. We were not included as a hub or gateway under the National Spatial Strategy and felt left out. But today's announcement makes up for it. This is a brilliant boost for Clonmel.

"When the company set up here six years ago, everyone was excited. But nobody could have dreamt it could grow to such a size in such a short space of time," the Fine Gael mayor said.