Limerick received a major jobs boost today with over 400 news jobs announced for the region.

Ethicon Biosurgery Ireland, part of the Johnson & Johnson group, plans to develop an €80 million manufacturing facility providing approximately 270 jobs at the National Technology Park, Plassey, Limerick. Some 150 jobs will also be created in the construction phase which is already underway.

Ethicon Biosurgery describes itself as a worldwide leader in hemostasis and sealing solutions. The new Limerick facility will manufacture Evarrest Sealant Matrix, a new product that helps stem bleeding during surgery. Recruitment is already underway for the positions which are expected to be filled over the next five years, the IDA said. It is anticipated that the 60,000 square foot facility will be completed by 2015.

The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, who met senior Johnson & Johnson executives and discussed this project as part of a recent IDA investment mission to the US, said: “Manufacturing is a central pillar of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs, and we have put in place a series of measures to help reverse the decline in employment in this area in the past.

“ Today’s announcement that Ethicon Biosurgery, a world-leading company in the medical devices sector, is establishing a manufacturing facility in Limerick with the creation of 270 high-end jobs is brilliant news.”

“This is a model of what we are trying to achieve with our plan – a great global company investing €80 million in a manufacturing plant in Limerick, creating large numbers of permanent jobs as well as construction jobs, with huge knock-on benefits for the surrounding areas. I know Ethicon Biosurgery and IDA have worked hard to get to this point, and I wish the company every success with this project.”

Speaking at today's announcement, Dan Wildman, worldwide president, Ethicon Biosurgery, said: "The decision to manufacture Evarrest™ Sealant Matrix in Ireland was due to the unique clustering of medical device manufacturing, automation and biomanufacturing skill sets across the Johnson & Johnson companies already operating in Ireland."

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan he was delighted the company had chosen Limerick as the location for its new facility.

“The IDA is doing an excellent job in attracting jobs and investment to Limerick and with each new investment, the attractiveness of Limerick as a world-class hub for life science and high tech companies is growing. I had the pleasure of meeting senior Johnson & Johnson executives with the IDA in New York in January to discuss this exciting project and I would like to wish the management and team here every success.”

IDA chief executive Barry O’Leary said the investment was “ hugely significant for the mid west region as a whole”. Ethicon Biosurgery’s decision to move here is yet another strong endorsement of Ireland’s position as a leading location for the life sciences sector.”

Details on recruitment at Ethicon Biosurgery Ireland's new Limerick facility are available at www.careers.jnj.com. The recruitment hotline is 1800 806 321.