Tánaiste applauds Dun Laoghaire company’s success

TÁNAISTE Eamon Gilmore visited a leading global medical technology company in Dun Laoghaire recently to applaud them on a

?¬14 million investment in production.

Deputy Gilmore was given a briefing on the Becton, Dickinson and Company’s investment in new technology and equipment at its manufacturing facility.

The visit came after a series of recent important job announcements focused on the Southside.

During his visit the Tánaiste learned how the investment would expand the production of the BD AutoShield Duo, a new pen needle designed to help eliminate accidental needlestick injuries.

Speaking to associates at the facility Deputy Gilmore said the company was an international success story with achievements that extended far beyond economics.

“Your commitment to investing in your workforce and in Ireland is very welcome and reflects the wider success story that is the medical technology sector in this country,

? he said.

Needle injuries are one of the most frequent occupational hazards faced by healthcare workers around the world, and are particularly dangerous in view of the potential for transmitting life-threatening blood-borne pathogens, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

Cormac Reynolds of BD in Ireland added:

“We are delighted that this important new safety product will be manufactured by our highly skilled and dedicated team here in Dun Laoghaire.

?

BD opened the Dun Laoghaire facility in 1969, and currently employs 330 associates.

The major expansion at the Dun Laoghaire plant follows an announcement of 100 new high-end cloud computing jobs for Sandyford.

Deputy Olivia Mitchell (FG) said the jobs would be created by Salesforce.com, which is based in the Sandyford Business Park.

“Salesforce.com first set up in Ireland in 2000 and it is fantastic to see them reinforce their roots here and expand their workforce,

? she said.

“These jobs are great news for the newly-formed Dublin Rathdown constituency. Located in the Sandyford Business Park, Salesforce.com is very well serviced by excellent infrastructure, such as the Luas, the M50 and respected third level institutions providing training and research.

?

She added:

“The Government’s announcement earlier this year to invest

?¬700,000 to improve the adjacent Leopardstown Roundabout and access roads to both business parks displays a commitment to use scarce resources to maximum effect.

?

Labour TD Alex White said it was great news for the local area and emphasised that the technology industry was an area that is key to the economic recovery.

The latest jobs mean that a total of 238 high quality positions have now been announced in Sandyford in the past year, according to Fine Gael TD, Peter Mathews.

“This adds to a long list of job announcements in Sandyford Business Park. In the last year, there have been 75 at Dun & Bradstreet, 24 at Xintec Revenue and 25 at Bluebird Care,

? he said.

“These jobs mean that 238 local families have been provided with an income and a livelihood over the past year,

? he added.

“Just as importantly, it provides hope for the many unfortunate people who find themselves unemployed.

?

The jobs boost in Sandyford followed news that 40 new positions were created in Ballsbridge by Nuance Communication.

And this followed on from Total Defense and BSKYB announcements earlier in the year bringing 940 new positions to the Ballsbridge area.

“Each job and investment announcement is a further small step on the path to recovery,

? said Deputy Richard Humphreys.