US medical devices firm Merit Medical is to create 100 jobs as part of a €6.7m expansion of its plant in Galway.
The firm is planning to establish Galway as its European centre as it enters the surgical pre-pack business in Europe.
The company, which arrived in Galway in 1994, manufactures guidewires and inflation devices used in hospitals worldwide and currently employs 250 people at the Galway plant.
Today’s announcement includes the purchase of a €1.4 million property in Parkmore East, Co Galway.
Announcing the jobs, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe described the investment by Merit Medical as "significant" for Ireland’s life science sector.
‘Ireland has a strong cluster of firms in the life science sector with eight of the top 10 pharmaceutical and 15 of the top 20 medical devices companies based here", Minister O'Keeffe said.
‘The 100 new jobs will add to our reputation as a global leader for life science firms".
‘As well as the 100 new positions in the plant, the extension project will generate jobs in construction and supply services which is important for the local economy in Galway,‘ said Minister O’Keeffe.
The chief executive of IDA Ireland, Barry O’Leary, said: ‘Merit’s decision to locate this operation in Ireland demonstrates our attractiveness for companies investing and expanding in the life science sector.
‘IDA Ireland’s strategy, Horizon 2020, sets out to achieve balanced regional development, and today’s announcement for Galway builds on the strong medical device cluster in the west of Ireland’, Mr O'Leary added.