Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is creating 300 new jobs in Dublin, Kildare and Cork.

The company has said it is investing €300m at its sites in Grange Castle, Newbridge and Ringaskiddy.

It is increasing its manufacturing and laboratory at all three sites with the 300 new roles to be filled over the next two or three years.

The investment at Ringaskiddy is also expected to create a number of construction roles.

IDA Ireland said the company already employs around 4,000 people at six locations around the country and has invested around €8bn in Ireland over the past 50 years.

Very welcome announcement from @Pfizer_Ireland today - €300m investment in its Irish operations & 300 new jobs. Further evidence of Ireland’s reputation for global excellence in attracting pharma & life sciences pic.twitter.com/VCzXxIdogV

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 2, 2020

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the announcement is a “further vote of confidence in the skills and talent of Irish people and provides a very welcome boost to the economy.”

“Over the past five decades, there has been a huge expansion of the sector in this country, creating thousands of jobs and solidifying Ireland’s reputation as a world leader in pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing,” he said.

“Pfizer has made a significant contribution to the Irish economy and this latest investment is a testament to the quality and experience of the workforce here.”

A worker at the Pfizer lab in Grange Castle, Dublin. Image: Pfizer

Pfizer said this latest investment will ensure it stands “ready to support the next wave of medical innovations.”

It said the Ringaskiddy development will see the Cork site developing pharmaceutical compounds for its global clinical trials.

Pfizer’s Irish sites currently manufacture medicines and vaccines for arthritis, inflammation, cancer, anti-infectives, haemophilia, pain and stroke.

The company is currently recruiting for roles including: Analysts, technicians, engineers, scientists, technologists, quality specialists, data analysts and chemists.

The Pfizer plant in Ringaskiddy, County Cork. Image: Pfizer

Paul Reid, Country Manager for Pfizer Healthcare Ireland said the new roles will be key for the company’s global operations.

“Our purpose is to discover breakthrough medicines that change patients’ lives and these new positions are key roles within the organisation and play an important function in the manufacturing and delivery of medicines to patients worldwide,” he said.

“Currently we are focused on our COVID-19 efforts, including our vaccine development program.

“Pfizer is also significantly investing in other innovations across healthcare – such as gene therapy and complex biologics targeting some of the most debilitating medical conditions.”

IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan said today’s announcement is a “huge vote of confidence in Ireland’s investment environment and again underscores Ireland’s reputation as a global location of excellence for biopharmaceuticals.”