Recruitment starts for 100 new technology jobs in Limerick

Recruitment process are already under way for the 100 jobs announced yesterday by Johnson & Johnson Services which plans to set up a development centre at the National Technology Park in Limerick.

The company is seeking highly skilled people for information technology positions and the company said the search will begin immediately and the jobs will be filled over the next two years.

Speaking at yesterday’s announcement, Industry and Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said the fact that Johnson & Johnson, one of the biggest names in the corporate world, is creating a further 100 jobs in Limerick to add to the 2,000 people they already employ across Ireland, is a great boost.

“Multinational investment plays a key part in our jobs plan, and in recent years we have seen a very strong performance in this area. I wish Johnson & Johnson every success with this project, and look forward to working with them as they continue to develop their operations in Ireland,” Minister Bruton said.

Also commenting on the announcement, Minister Michael Noonan said job creation is a priority for the Government, but he was particularly pleased to see a major multinational organisation expanding in Limerick.

“I am delighted to see Johnson & Johnson expanding their workforce here in the National Technology Park (in Plassey). The company is to be congratulated both for its impressive business growth and its proven capacity to create employment.

“Today’s announcement is another welcome boost for Limerick and further proof that the Governments strategy in relation to job creation is working,” he said.

IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan said the announcement of new technology jobs in a new development centre is a great example of how the IDA likes to see companies widen their base of activities in Ireland once they have established a successful operation here.

“Limerick is a great place for foreign companies to locate — IDA Ireland will continue to work hard to make sure that the city continues to enjoy investments like this in the future,” he added.

The Johnson & Johnson companies currently employ more than 2,000 people in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, (Ireland) Limited, was established in Limerick in 1996.

It employs 900 people in the manufacture of Acuvue range of soft disposable contact lenses — the world’s number one brand.

Last April, Ethicon Biosurgery Ireland, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, announced plans to develop an €80 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility providing approximately 270 jobs, also at the National Technology Park,Plassey, Limerick.

Dr Mary Shire, vice president research at the University of Limerick, said the university was delighted the new development centre will be based on campus in the UL Enterprise Corridor.

“Health, biomedical engineering and pharmaceuticals are among the research strengths of the University of Limerick and our ecosystem of innovation and excellence provides a pipeline of highly skilled graduates and a network of multidisciplinary researchers in these fields who will play an important part in the success of this initiative.”