More than 170 jobs are to be created in the Midlands in a major boost for the region, it was announced today.
Counties Roscommon, Athlone and Longford will benefit from plans by four US companies supported by IDA Ireland. Three new plants will be built and an existing operation is to be expanded.
American pharmaceutical company Innocoll is setting one facility in Roscommon town and one in Athlone.
In Roscommon town, it is investing €6 million in a research and developing and manufacturing centre, creating as many as 60 jobs over four years. In Athlone, the company is setting up establishing its European sales and marketing HQ, creating up to 16 jobs over the next two years.
Conor Medsystems, which makes drug delivery technologies, is to spend €1 million on a new plant in Athlone, creating 40 jobs over three years
Cooper Cameron Corporation is expanding its Longford facility and expects to create 57 jobs over five years. The firm is one of the world's leading manufacturers of products for the global oil and gas exploration industries.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Martin, said: "The diverse nature of these investments and their locational spread is a further endorsement of Ireland's ability to attract leading-edge high-value investments across a range of sectors and to provide the calibre of people and infrastructure required to support such activities at regional locations."