Government 'Celebrates' 100 New Jobs

A total of 100 private sector jobs have been announced by the Government this morning.

However, despite the Government's insistence that the jobs are a "boost" to the economy, the new positions in the software and medical devices fields will be staggered over the next three years.

According to the Government's announcement this morning, Irish medical devices firm ClearStream Technologies is to create 70 jobs in Wexford under a major expansion plan, while French financial software firm, Murex have announced the creation of 30 new software jobs.

The jobs are part of a "three-year expansion plan", which is supported by the Government through Enterprise Ireland, said Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keeffe.

ClearStream Technologies, which employs 230 workers, designs and manufactures medical devices such as catheters and stents.

Mr O'Keeffe said Enterprise Ireland's investment would support a dedicated research and development centre, new product development, production facilities and management development training.

"The 70 high-quality jobs will bring huge economic dividends to Wexford and the broader south-eastern region," the Minister said.

However, despite the Minister's optimism, the new jobs over the next three years will do little to combat last week's released unemployment figures, which showed some 444,000 are now signing on for unemployment benefit, an increase of 5,200 from November and 13,484 for the year.

Also celebrating the jobs announcement, Enterprise Ireland Chief Executive Frank Ryan said ClearStream, which employs 230 people, was a "significant Irish firm".

"Not just in terms of the valuable employment it provides in the Wexford area but also as a key player in Ireland's life sciences sector.

"We look forward to continuing to support this significant contributor to the Ireland's smart economy."

(DW)