by Kathy Masterson
MORE than 200 jobs are expected to be created at Vistakon in Plassey due to a €100 million investment into the Limerick facility.
The 200 construction jobs will be created over an 18-month period.
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton and Finance Minister Michael Noonan announced the investment at the National Technology Park on Tuesday.
Vistakon Ireland, which manufactures contact lenses, is one of a number of Johnson & Johnson companies operating in Ireland, employing some 2,500 people nationwide.
Johnson & Johnson vice president Dr Mark Benson said they had chosen Limerick for this strategically important investment because of its track record over many years in providing quality products and excellent customer service to markets around the globe.
Limerick TD Kieran O’Donnell said: “What is really significant here is that, in Johnson and Johnson, we are seeing a leading world-class company repeatedly making internationally-significant investments in Limerick. This investment follows a similar €100 million investment in its Plassey facility announced in 2013, and a further €80 million announced in April of last year.”
The Fine Gael TD continued: “It means that in 30 months, Johnson & Johnson have announced 470 new jobs in Plassey, and today’s announcement brings its capital investment in Plassey over the same period to €280 million. This is a remarkable level of investment, and is hugely positive.
“It is proof positive that Limerick can consistently operate at the leading edge of global business. The consistency and sheer scale of the Johnson & Johnson group’s investment here is testament to the calibre of the workforce and the environment in Limerick.”
Deputy O’Donnell added that he was hopeful that there would be further jobs announcements for Limerick this year.
