There was positive news within the employment economy of Ballinasloe in recent times with the announcement by pharmaceutical company, Chanelle Pharma, that it is to create 60 jobs at the IDA Business and Technology Park in the East Galway town.
Welcoming the news, local Fine Gael Senator, Aisling Dolan, stated that the jobs announcement was a major boost for Ballinasloe and its immediate environs.
“The expansion of Chanelle Pharma to Ballinasloe and an investment of €5 million is to be lauded. This is a world class Irish pharma company and these jobs will provide such a wonderful opportunity to those living in Ballinasloe, East Galway and South Roscommon. It’s a win for our town!
“Chanelle is in the midst of employee expansion. It is the largest indigenous based Irish manufacturer of human and animal health pharma, exports to over 90 countries and recently doubled capacity. They intend to move their Chanelle pet section of the business to the former Aptar premises which boasts over 65,000 sq ft of capacity.
“Ballinasloe is an exciting location on the M6 motorway, an hour and a half to Dublin airport, and now less than 20 minutes from the new Shannon TÚS Technological University in Athlone. With highly qualified graduates in pharma and healthcare, individuals can also upskill with options of full-time, part-time and online courses at this new university.
“It is also the newest town in Ireland following a multi-million euro investment in the recently completed Town Enhancement Scheme. We have pro-active community, business and Town Team groups, complemented by the Ballinasloe Area Community Development (BACD ), who have worked together to showcase Ballinasloe as an excellent choice for investment.
“I’d like to acknowledge the focus and effort by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to drive job creation, especially during a pandemic. I had the opportunity to meet these agencies a number of times in the last few months to discuss investment in Ballinasloe as well as with the Tánaiste’s office and officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I know the Tánaiste very much welcomes this investment.
“Ireland has a strong presence and expertise in the healthcare and pharma sectors and the need for these products has grown during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Ballinasloe is an emerging strategic location for industry and the IDA Ireland Business and Technology Park also has the potential for further development and expansion.
“These jobs are such a boost for our area especially after this particularly strenuous year. The whole town welcomes Chanelle Pharma to Ballinasloe and I look forward to their new facility opening soon,” Senator Dolan remarked.
The €5 million investment by Chanelle Pharma in Ballinasloe will also see the company invest in warehousing and new manufacturing operations at the 65,000 sq ft facility.
Senator Dolan’s thoughts were echoed by those of Fianna Fáil Senator, Eugene Murphy, who acknowledged that the jobs announcement was a “vote of confidence” in Ballinasloe.
“This is absolutely fantastic news for Ballinasloe and the wider area as Chanelle Pharma expands its distribution and manufacturing operations in Ireland.
“I have long highlighted the fact that Ballinasloe has lacked serious investment and employment over the years and the area has suffered. Ballinasloe has so much potential and Chanelle Pharma has sounded a terrific vote of confidence in the town with this fantastic announcement.
“This is a €5 million investment and will result in 60 new jobs over the next five years which is most welcome particularly after the difficult year we have just experienced. It’s a major boost for the area and highlights the fact that Ballinasloe is a great place in which to live and work,” said Senator Murphy.
