Fifty jobs are to be created in Dublin as a company that specialises in the treatment of sleep disorders expands its research facility.

ResMed, which manufactures medical products to combat sleep and respiratory disorders, will grow its research, development and innovation facility at University College Dublin over the next three years.

The company said the expansion will allow it to undertake the most comprehensive medical device development project ever carried out by a multinational here. The project will develop a new technology platform based on sensors designed to manage patients with chronic diseases in their home.

"We believe there are great opportunities in growing our presence in Ireland, said ResMed founder and chief executive Dr Peter Farrell. "One of the factors that played a part in our 2011 acquisition of BiancaMed, a UCD spin-out company, was the tremendous advantage of being based in a country that strongly supports research and development."

The investment is being supported by IDA Ireland.