€3.5 million investment creates 28 new jobs

Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny and Minister of State, Mr Fergus O’Dowd visited BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) operations in Drogheda Co Louth, where €3.5 million has been invested in new equipment to manufacture state-of-the-art safety needles designed to help protect healthcare workers and patients from medical sharps injuries.

The investment, supported by the IDA, has created 28 new jobs at the plant. BD produces BD Posiflush™ syringes, insulin pen needles and lancet blood sampling devices in its Drogheda facility. BD Ireland employs approximately 450 people at its two plants in Drogheda, Co Louth and and Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Speaking at the facility, the Taoiseach said:

BD has been in Drogheda since 1964. Since then the company has consistently invested in the research and development of new products and provided local people here in Drogheda and in Dun Laoghaire with long-term careers. I am delighted to welcome the creation of 28 new jobs in Drogheda and your continued commitment to investing in Ireland.

The needles produced by BD in Ireland are automatically shielded after use. They are an important measure to help protect the lives of healthcare workers, as recognised by the EU Directive on the Prevention of Sharps Injuries in the Hospital and Healthcare Sector, which is currently being transposed into national law in Ireland.

Sharps injuries are one of the most frequent occupational hazards faced by healthcare workers around the world, with the potential for transmitting blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

Cormac Reynolds, Director, Diabetes Care Manufacturing, BD in Ireland, said:

This investment in Drogheda is part of the Company’s investment strategy for Ireland, which has also seen more than €34 million invested in our other plant in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Our company is dedicated to helping all people live healthy lives.

Barry O’Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland said:

Supporting companies in their efforts to transform their operations is a key part of what we are doing at IDA Ireland. Continuous innovation by companies is vital in order to stay competitive – what BD has done here in Drogheda is a prime example of this.