Ireland received a major jobs boost after an American company announced it was creating 1,000 highly skilled jobs over the next five years.
Dexcom, a manufacturer of medical devices, has announced plans to invest €300 million in the development of a new manufacturing facility in Co. Galway.
The company produces technology for continuous glucose monitoring in the treatment of diabetes.
The company, which has its headquarters in California, said that the construction of its new factory will generate an additional 500 employment.
The town of Athenry’s IDA landbank will serve as the site for the construction of Dexcom’s first manufacturing facility in Europe.
When completed the facility will have the capacity to produce millions of Dexcom’s sensor devices each year.
Dexcom monitors work by inserting a small sensor just under the skin which provides real time data on glucose levels to diabetes patients on their smartphone, smartwatch or Dexcom receiver.
‘Ireland has an exceptional talent pool and an established medtech sector, making Athenry the perfect location for us to establish a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility,’ said Barry Regan, Dexcom executive vice-president of global operations.
Welcoming the announcement today, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Dexcom will be one of the biggest single private sector investments in the west of Ireland and will bring many spin-off opportunities for other businesses in the region.
“The announcement that Athenry is to become Dexcom’s first manufacturing site in Europe is very much in line with the Government’s policy of balanced regional development,” Mr Varadkar said.
Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney said the project was a huge vote of confidence in Ireland’s significant medical technology cluster.
“The very substantial employment opportunities that accompany the arrival of Dexcom in Athenry will be a considerable boost to the west, mid-west and midlands regions,” he said.