Medical equipment manufacturer Teleflex Medical is to create 80 jobs in Limerick as part of a major expansion.

The group, which manufactures catheter and tubing devices, is to expand its facility in Annacotty, where it currently employs 143 people, in response to new business opportunities.

The expansion is supported by the Government through IDA Ireland.

In addition to the Limerick plant, Teleflex also employs 90 people at its European shared services centre, which opened in Athlone in 2007.

Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton said it was good news for Limerick.

"If we are to get the economy growing again and create the jobs of the future in Ireland, government must act decisively to improve the environment in which business operates. One crucial part of this must be to build on the embedded strengths of the economy which we have built up over a number of years - including medical devices," he said.

"Fifteen of the world's 25 top Medtech companies have operations in Ireland, and we are Europe's largest exporter of medical devices per capita. I am currently looking at ways we can build on our strength in areas such as this to assist both multinationals and start-ups to expand and create more jobs," he added.