Ninety jobs are to come on-stream with the location of an international pharmaceutical company in Monksland.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals is planning a €25 million manufacturing facility at the Monksland site which will create 50 positions, as well as up to 40 jobs in the construction phase.
Roscommon County Council cleared the way for the move when they approved the sale of 17 acres of land at Monksland to Jazz Pharmaceuticals on Monday, for a sum of €340,000.
The company specialises in the development of drug therapies for pain, oncology, narcolepsy, and psychiatry treatments, and has its Irish base in Dublin as well as facilities in California, Philadelphia, and Oxford.
Officials from Roscommon County Council met with IDA officials last week to cement the agreement, and the planning process is expected to get underway later this year.
Cllr John Naughten welcomed the proposed investment and resulting jobs.
“This is a significant investment in the Monksland area and shows confidence in this location of south Roscommon. It is positive news for Monksland and the wider Midlands that a company of this status is willing to invest in the area.”
Deputy Denis Naughten said the considerable land bank also left room for the company to expand.
“It is quite a considerable land bank - 17 acres, which leaves adequate provision for future expansion - Jazz obviously have plans for the future.
“We would hope, having gone through the planning process, they will be in a position to start construction towards the middle of next year. They are very anxious to consult with the local community. We lost Pharmaplaz a number of years ago and there is the possibility of people losing their jobs in Alkermes - maybe some of the same people will be able to get jobs locally,” he added.
