Major jobs boost for Swords 

THERE was very good news on the Northside employment front last week when a pharmaceutical company said it expects to create 350 new jobs when it develops a new facility. 

MSD announced that it is to develop a new biotechnology facility in Swords. Known as MSD Biotech, Dublin, the facility will be constructed on an existing MSD-owned property, the site of its former facility in the Fingal town. 

It will play a pivotal role in the manufacture of MSD’s biologics-based medicines, including in the area of immuno-oncology, and will expand MSD’s current internal network of biologics drug substance manufacturing plants.  

Site preparation and facility design will commence immediately. Full manufacturing operations are expected to begin in 2021.

The company said the decision to locate this new facility in Ireland was testament to the talent of its Irish employees and the high standard of its existing operations, and reinforces its commitment to Ireland.

MSD currently employs over 1,700 people across four sites in Ireland – Dublin, Carlow, Cork and Tipperary. 

Its extensive Irish operations, encompassing manufacturing, commercial and marketing facilities, had a turnover of €4.7 billion in 2016.

Fingal County Council welcomed the announcement of the 350 new jobs that are expected to accrue from the new facility.   

Chief executive of the council, Paul Reid, said it was another major boost for the county, and in particular, Swords.

“This is another endorsement of Fingal as a place to do business in and it is encouraging to see the company highlight the talent pool available as one of the main reasons for their decision as well as the strong relationships they have with the various agencies including the council,” said Mr Reid.

Ed Hearne, Director of Economic, Enterprise and Tourism at Fingal County Council, said: “MSD are just one of many global leaders who have based their Irish operations in Fingal and, as a council, we continue to work closely with them all so they can expand and create more jobs in the county.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mary McCamley, added: “This is more great news for Swords and Fingal. The creation of these 350 jobs will be a major boost to the local economy."