Two US firms to create 350 jobs

Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin will today announce 350 new jobs in two separate investments by US companies.

A medical product manufacturer is planning to create about 250 jobs in Athlone over the next five years.

The company, which is involved in the manufacture of advanced wound care and therapeutic products, will set up initially in a leased building at the IDA Business & Technology Park at Garrycastle in Athlone but will apply for planning to build its own 18,000sq m (60,000sq ft) plant. It is understood that about 50 of the 250 jobs will come on stream before the end of the year with the remaining 200 to be created over the next five years.

In Cork, an entertainment software group is set to establish a European customer support centre, initially creating 50 jobs and rising to more than 100 positions within three years. The Cork operation will complement the company's existing European headquarters near Paris.

Both projects are assisted by IDA Ireland. Today's announcement in Cork comes on foot of the announcement by Mr Martin last week of investments by three companies in the city and county which created almost 200 jobs in the software, financial services and manufacturing sectors.