Potential investors in pharmaceutical centre due to visit Tralee
In addition, Tralee Town Council is to erect signage declaring its support for the Pharmadel project, which is projected to create almost 5,000 jobs. Almost 17,000 people are registered as unemployed in Kerry and efforts to attract significant investment in recent years have been unsuccessful.
Pharmadel is planning an International Centre of Excellence in Tralee, with a potential €4.7 billion investment.
Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Minister Batt O’Keeffe has already met the pharmaceutical manufacturer to discuss the plans.
Pharmadel is in talks with the Saudi Arabian government about funding the project. According to the company, the operation will offer the largest single employment placements on the island of Ireland and the largest research and development centre in the world.
It is finalising plans for a planning application to Kerry County Council for a 1.2 million sq ft facility in the Kerry Technology Park in Tralee.
The 26.8-acre former Amann Industries factory site in Tralee, which closed last year with the loss of more than 300 jobs, has also been suggested as a possible location.
Known as the Global Pharmaceutical Centre of Excellence (GPCE), it would employ graduates in science, pharmaceuticals, engineering and IT alongside nurses, doctors, secretarial and administrative staff. GPCE has offices at the Centrepoint building in John Joe Sheehy Road, Tralee.
Sources said 4,380 graduates, 116 academics and 321 management executives would be hired. It is understood the centre would have 30 campuses, with a target opening date in 2012.
Kerry County Manager Tom Curran and the county council’s director of planning services Michael McMahon are liaising with the GPCE on behalf of the local authorities involved.
It is being stressed by all sides, however, that the project is at a very early stage and will need major investors.
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