25,000 jobs targeted for the West
Medtech and pharma are among the key drivers to create up to 25,000 jobs in Mayo, Roscommon and Galway, with an investment of €250m in the project. Agri-food and tourism are also targeted, with the department for jobs claiming 5,000 extra positions have been created in the region this year.
Almost 27,500 jobs were lost across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon from 2008 to 2011. The new employment plan, West Action Plan for Jobs, is part of a €250 million regional jobs strategy led by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton.
There are plans to deliver “a series of actions to develop the marine research and ocean energy industries in the region also”, which is an area enjoying huge growth at the moment.
Minister Bruton said: “Jobs are growing right across the country, but they are growing faster in some regions than in others. That is why we have put in place the €250million regional jobs strategy, to support regions to play to their strengths and accelerate jobs growth in every area.
However in recent years the region has bounced back, with 5,000 jobs created in the past year, and jobs growing in exporting companies supported by my Department in particular. This has been achieved mainly by the ingenuity, hard work and collaboration of workers and businesses in the region.
“However we can do more, and that that is why we are putting in place this highly ambitious plan to dramatically accelerate job-creation in the region.”
