A Portuguese pharmaceutical company is to create up to 80 jobs in Co Cork over the next two years, it emerged today.
Hovione, which makes pharmaceutical ingredients, has taken over the former Pfizer manufacturing plant at Loughbeg in Ringaskiddy.
IDA Ireland chief executive Barry O’Leary said the arrival of the Lisbon-based firm showed Ireland continues to attract foreign direct investment.
Hovione executive Miguel Calado said it chose Ringaskiddy because of its location in the heart of Ireland’s pharmaceutical industry in east Co Cork.
Horvione - which has plants across Europe, the United States and Asia - will begin recruiting for the high-skilled jobs in coming weeks.
Cork Chamber chief executive Conor Healy said Hovione was a "very welcome addition" to the pharmaceutical industry in Cork.
Elsewhere, latest figures reveal unemployment has risen sharply and economic output has dropped in the North. The latest unemployment figures show the number claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance has increased to 43,900, with an extra 1,900 signing on last month.
PA