Boost for Roscrea as 300 jobs announced for factory

WORKERS from a pharmaceutical plant who were laid off last December were present yesterday when 300 new jobs were announced for Roscrea, Co Tipperary.

More than 150 people, many who lost their jobs when the Miza pharmaceutical factory closed, turned up at Grants Hotel yesterday.

The Israeli company Taro pharmaceuticals is taking over the factory and is likely to re-employ many of the former workers.

“One of the main factors for the company choosing Roscrea was the availability of the highly skilled workforce. It’s good news for them and it’s fantastic for the town,” said Roscrea Chamber of Commerce secretary Brian King yesterday.

Taro develops, manufactures, and markets generic and branded pharmaceuticals for both prescription and over-the-counter markets. A quarter of the 300 jobs will be in Research and Development.

This is exactly the type of work that the government is trying to attract, said Tánaiste, Ms Harney yesterday.

“Given the recent closure of the Miza facility, finding alternative employment for the town of Roscrea was always going to be a challenge. I am particularly delighted with the speed in which this has been achieved and the high quality investor that the IDA has succeeded in attracting,” she said.

TD Marie Hoctor also welcomed the new jobs.

“Today’s announcement sends out a positive signal that the region has many attractions for foreign and domestic investment. In addition to the 300 direct jobs it is clear that the return of a large scale employer to the site will also bring about several spin off boosts in the local economy and will be welcomed by businesses in the Roscrea area.”

“We cannot be complacent following today’s success as Nenagh and Thurles await investment and I would urge all local bodies across North Tipperary to work with the Government to attract further companies to the region.”

The jobs will replace the 250 lost at the Miza factory and will also help the town to recover from the closure in 1999 of the Offray ribbon manufacturing plant. The factory will also provide Roscrea with a better mix of industries, since most of the employment is derived from agriculture-based businesses.

Roscrea has also benefited recently from the opening of a €750,000 soccer facility, a pitch and putt course and a €1 million Shannon Development technology park.