Global healthcare giant Abbott has unveiled plans to create 1,000 jobs in Donegal and Kilkenny. in an investment worth €440m.
Abbott has announced plans to construct a new greenfield manufacturing facility in Kilkenny, along with further investment in its Donegal Diabetes Care site.
This 250,000 sq ft facility will be located at the IDA business and technology company in Loughboy, Kilkenny, subject to planning permission.
Abbott will be able to boost manufacturing at the Kilkenny location of its FreeStyle Libre technology, which is used by individuals with diabetes.
The company said that in addition to constructing the new facility, it also plans to increase its funding in Donegal’s current Irish diabetes treatment center.
A spokesperson from Abbott said: “Abbott is expanding our Irish manufacturing operations to meet the demand for our FreeStyle Libre technology for people with diabetes, which over the past five years has grown from 400,000 to more than 4 million users.”
“People who use the FreeStyle Libre portfolio call it life-changing, and this investment will allow us to make even more of it in Ireland to meet growing demand,” the spokesperson added.
Abbott has been operating in Ireland since 1946. The multinational medical devices and healthcare company currently employs over 5,000 people across nine sites across the country.
It also has operations in Clonmel, Cootehill, Donegal, Longford and Sligo.
“Abbott has had a presence in Ireland for more than 75 years, and we’re proud to bring even more highly-skilled jobs to local communities,” the spokesperson concluded.
The new investment is supported by IDA Ireland.
Commenting on Abbott’s plans, Taoiseach Michael Martin said: “Abbott has a long and successful history, first establishing operations in Ireland in 1946, and this new investment is a great vote of confidence in the workforce here, and in this country as a place to invest.”