Wexford is to receive a much needed employment fillip today with the announcement that 150 jobs are to be created at a medical device company in Enniscorthy.
The jobs are planned as part of a significant expansion by ClearStream Technologies, which currently employs 97 people, over the next three years. The announcement is to be made by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, on a visit to Wexford, which has suffered a series of economic setbacks in recent months. Two companies, Wexal and Wexford Weaving, closed last year with a combined loss of 300 jobs, while some 450 jobs are under threat at Wexford Electronix and the Red Sail fish processing plant in Kilmore, both of which are in receivership.
ClearStream Technologies designs, makes and distributes angioplasty catheters used in intervention cardiology. The company was established in 2,000 following an Irish management buy-out of the US-owned AngioDynamics Limited. Its expansion, with the support of Enterprise Ireland, will provide additional clean room facilities, more production equipment and technology for new product development. Mr Andy Jones, the company's managing director, said it had grown its business using technologies developed in Enniscorthy. "This expansion will further enhance our marketing and product development capabilities and our capacity to manufacture and supply these products to new markets." Ms Harney acknowledges that Wexford has been "badly affected" by recent job losses and is to hold meetings with local politicians and representatives of the social partners on her visit today. She will then travel to Waterford to launch a task force report, commissioned by her, on why that city failed to capitalise on the economic boom.
