240 new jobs announced for Galway, Longford and Dublin

Up to 240 jobs are to be created by three separate companies in Galway, Longford and Dublin, it was announced today.

Following on from yesterday’s announcement of 300 new jobs at Amazon in Dublin, manufacturing firm Valeo today said it intends to expand its operation in Tuam, Co Galway, with the creation of an additional 140 permanent jobs.

The French-owned company, which makes safety camera systems for cars, is already the town’s largest employer.

The new posts, which will come on stream this year and next year, will be in research and development as well as operations. It will bring Valeo’s total Irish workforce to almost 750.

“This growth is to meet continued automotive customer demand and to further develop next generation vision systems for Valeo’s global market,” the company said.

Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton said “Manufacturing is a key sector we have targeted in our Action Plan for Jobs. Over the past decade some people wrongly assumed that Ireland did not have a future in manufacturing and the sector suffered from some neglect - but in recent years we have provided new supports for the sector and have seen the benefits.”

Separately, C&D Foods announced the opening of a new pet food manufacturing facility in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford with the creation of 70 new jobs.

The €15 million facility, an extension to the plant that was built in 2007 following a major fire, will produce pet food pouches for many of Europe’s leading own label brands. It will be the biggest of its kind in Europe when fully operational.

The company said investment would result in 70 new jobs over the next three years, for which hiring has commenced.

“We have put in place a range of measures over recent years to support Irish companies, and businesses in sectors like technology and manufacturing are now powering ahead and creating jobs right across the country,” Mr Bruton said.

Separetly, IT services company Ammeon is also creating 30 new jobs at its Dublin city centre offices.

The company, which specialises in IT-based transformation projects, currently employs 140 people at its D’Olier Street office.

It is looking for both experienced IT professionals and graduates to fill a variety of high-value IT roles including software development, test automation and DevOps.

The three expansions have been supported financially by the Department of Jobs through Enterprise Ireland.

Separately, work has begun on a €50 million expansion at the luxury outlet mall Kildare Village. Approximatley 120 jobs are being created during the construction phase with 380 full-time positions coming onstream once the project has been completed.

The Phase 2 expansion is set to add 36 new boutiques, which will bring the total number of retail units in the development to 100.

The plans include two restaurants and a Visitor Centre with enhanced hospitality services for guests, as well as 437 parking spaces. The expansion will add an additional 5,544 square metres to Kildare Village, increasing the total size to 16,570 square metres.