Hundreds of new jobs were announced for Galway this week on foot of a major investment by a MedTech giant – in the same week that a planning application for the largest ever infrastructural development in the Galway Gaeltacht was lodged, creating the potential for a further major employment boost.

The Aerogen Group, which is headquartered in Dangan in the city, revealed plans to create up to 725 highly skilled jobs in the West over the next decade – around 70% of which will be in Galway. The Irish company, which produces products for aerosol drug delivery in the treatment of respirator conditions, announced a multi-million-euro ten-year investment plan yesterday (Wednesday).

Meanwhile, an application for planning permission has been submitted for the Sceirde Rocks Windfarm, off the coast of Carna and Leitir Mealláin in South Connemara.

The €2 billion windfarm project, should it secure permission, is expected to create up to 150 construction jobs and 60 full-time roles in the operation of 30 offshore wind turbines to power up to 35,000 homes.

Unveiling their plans yesterday, Aerogen CEO and founder, John Power, said this expansion represented another stride forward for what was ‘a truly global life science company’.

“Enterprise Ireland have been a superb partner in supporting this journey on which we just reached the pivotal milestone of having treated our 25th millionth patient, and we will continue to innovate across the respiratory journey for patients from our HQ here in Galway,” he said.

Speaking after the announcement, Mr Power indicated that the majority of the jobs would be based in Galway.

“Aerogen is based here in Galway. Our HQ will always be in Galway and probably about 70% of our employees are in Galway. Around 10% are in Shannon and the remaining 20% are overseas,” he said.

That ratio was unlikely to change with this expansion, added Mr Power.

Caption: Enterprise Ireland Chairman Michael Carey (left), Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke and Aerogen CEO John Power, at this week’s major jobs announcement.

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