1,500 applicants for 300 hi-tech jobs

Almost 1,500 graduates have applied for just 300 hi-tech jobs at Regeneron in Limerick.

The biopharmaceutical company which is to move into the former Dell manufacturing plant in the city as part of a €220m investment, says it has received 1,436 applications from third-level graduates — almost five times the number of jobs on offer.

So far, Regeneron has interviewed 147 candidates and made 34 job offers.

A total of 60% of its applicants studied at the University of Limerick, or the Limerick Institute of Technology, and eight in every 10 applicants hailed from the Munster region.

A spokesperson said: “This is exactly the kind of response we hoped for when we selected Limerick. We seek employees who exhibit pride in their work and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. We have found such employees for our upstate New York facility, and we are witnessing the same sense of pride and ownership during our interviews in Limerick.”

Regeneron is to open in the former Dell building in the Raheen Business Park, where it is investing around €220. It is anticipated it will open in 2016.

The New York-based biopharmaceutical company exists to discover, develop, manufacture and commercialise new medicines for serious medical conditions.

Daniel van Plew, senior vice-president of Regeneron, said: “We have been impressed with the positive, can-do attitude of the local community, and IDA Ireland, and the support we have received during these initial project stages.”

Mr van Plew also said Regeneron is looking forward to playing an “active, positive role in Limerick and Ireland”.

Limerick Chamber chief executive Maria Kelly said the number of graduates seeking employment is “a great affirmation” of Regeneron’s decision to invest here. “It shows we have the skills base they are looking for, and it is great they have such choice,” said Ms Kelly. “I see nothing but positives in this.”