Harney announces 251 new Forbairt, IDA-backed jobs

Forbairt and IDA-backed projects will result in the creation of 251 new jobs at four centres around the country, the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, announced yesterday. The biggest expansion is at Wexford Electronix Ltd in Wexford town, where there will be 103 extra jobs as a result of a £4.2 million investment. This will increase the factory's numbers by almost a quarter, to 525.

Wexford Electronix designs and manufactures vehicle wiring harnesses for use in trucks and tractors and construction and industrial vehicles. Its clients include manufacturers such as JCB, Mitsubishi, Renault, NACCO forklifts and Matra multi-purpose vehicles. Ms Harney said that the company's success was "a solid example of achievement in a difficult and competitive international market".

"It shows how an Irish manufacturing company can build a steady record of success and growth by choosing its markets carefully and adopting the best professional practices across all aspects of its business," she said.

She pointed out that the Forbairt-supported investment was aimed at exploiting growth niches in such markets. In an IDA-backed project, 75 jobs will be created at Transitions Optical Ltd, in Tuam, Co Galway.

The US company is investing £9 million in the expansion of its European photochromic plastic spectacle lenses manufacturing facility.

In Co Sligo, there will be 43 more vacancies at Tente Ltd, Ballymote, where plastic castors and wheels are made for the plant's parent company, Tente Group. At Tullamore, Co Offaly, the expansion of the Lowe Alpine Systems International plant's capacity in producing its "Polartec" fleece-clothing range will create 30 jobs. Ms Harney added that the development of industries had been assisted by transfers from EU Structural Funds. "In particular, the EU contributes part of the grant aid for employment and training awarded by IDA Ireland and Forbairt. I wish to acknowledge, on behalf of the Government, the very significant contributions these funds make," she said.