One of Limerick’s largest employers is to provide another jobs boost for the region with an expected announcement of 100 new jobs today.

A subsidiary of medical firm Johnson and Johnson, Vistakon Ireland, currently employs around 650 people at its plant in the National Technological Park in Plassey.

The company produces the Acuvue range of contact lenses, one of the leading contact lens products in the world.

Further jobs were expected at the Limerick plant after Johnson Johnson Vision Care (Ireland) applied to Limerick County Council for permission for a 5,171sq m extension.

It is understood Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton will confirm the 100 new IDA-backed jobs when he visits the facility today.

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan is also expected to attend the investment announcement.

The news comes as a significant boost to the Limerick region, which has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.

Vistakon Ireland first opened its doors at the National Technological Park beside the University of Limerick in 1995.

The mid-west region is also likely to see a separate major jobs boost in the coming weeks when 400 jobs are expected to be announced at a call centre lined up for the former Dell manufacturing facility in Raheen in Limerick.

It is understood the centre will be operated on behalf of the new State water company Uisce Éireann.

Mr Noonan hinted in late November that the jobs were on the way for Limerick.

It is believed that an official announcement on the major employment boost is imminent.