ALMOST 300 jobs were announced yesterday as part of the first phase of a huge pharmaceutical enterprise planned for unemployment blackspot Tralee, Co Kerry.

IN a week when we heard unemployment has reached 14.6%, the highest figure in 17 years, any announcement about creating jobs is very, very welcome.

Three international pharmaceutical organisations have announced almost 300 new jobs for Co Kerry, as part of a proposed Global Pharmaceutical Centre of Excellence in Tralee.

ALMOST 20,000 Kerry people have signed a petition calling on Taoiseach Brian Cowen to ensure €51 million in state funding for a major pharmaceutical project in Tralee.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen is due to meet the team behind a huge pharmaceutical project earmarked for Tralee in Government buildings tomorrow.

THE campaign to establish a major pharmaceutical centre in Tralee is being intensified and potential investors are due to visit the town between now and Christmas.

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen has pledged government support for the proposed Global Pharmaceutical Centre of Excellence in Tralee in Co Kerry.

THE Department of Enterprise is awaiting “a more detailed submission” relating to a proposed “global pharmaceutical centre of excellence” which, it has been suggested, will create 4,800 jobs in Kerry.

A spokesperson for Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O Keeffe has confirmed that the Minister has met Pharmadel, one of the groups behind the proposed development of a Global Pharmaceutical Centre of Excellence in Tralee.

Plans for a massive €4.7bn investment which could see the creation of more than 4,000 jobs in Tralee, Co Kerry have been revealed.