Jobs ‘little comfort’ for redundant workers
Some 380 jobs will be created at Gerard Laboratories over the next six years.
Tánaiste Mary Harney said the company’s 40m expansion underlined Ireland’s reputation as a leading location for global pharmaceutical companies.
Fianna Fáil’s Jim Glennon said the Baldoyle expansion plan by Gerard Laboratories threw a lifeline to north county Dublin.
“I am particularly pleased for the 250 Celestica workers who lost their jobs in Swords last week,” he said.
However, the INOU demanded the Government and its agencies step up their efforts to offset rising unemployment.
“The jobs are not coming on stream immediately and the announcement will offer little comfort to the recent unemployed who can’t postpone mortgage payments to 2004,” said an INOU spokesperson.
With a 25% leap in unemployment over the last two years, the INOU noted many of the new opportunities did not appeal to recently redundant workers as the jobs were in other areas and employment sectors.
German-owned Gerard Laboratories, which already employs 300 in Dublin, is one of the top 10 generic pharmaceuticals manufacturers worldwide.
Manufacturing tablets and capsules for the European market and supplying over 1,500 products, its expansion is aimed at making 13 new therapeutic products at its Dublin facility.
Gerald Laboratories is planning a summer start for the construction of an additional 110,000sq ft building. About half of the planned new jobs will be in production areas with the remainder in quality control, maintenance and administration positions.
Ms Harney said the company’s plans to treble its output in Ireland will establish the Dublin base as its most important generic pharmaceutical manufacturing site worldwide.
Meanwhile, Ms Harney is due to announce more jobs today when she opens Bayroad Business Park in Mountmellick, Co Laois.
