AN TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny has said that some 1,240 jobs have been created in Galway by IDA supported companies since the Government took office last March.

Another 200 were announced in the city this morning.

Medical device manufacturer Merit Medical Systems said it will create 200 new jobs over the next five years at its Parkmore Business Park facility.

The positions will allow for the expansion of research and development teams at the Irish subsidiary. They will be created in R&D, shared services, operations support and manufacturing. Up to a third of the 200 jobs will be for third-level graduates.

Making the announcement at the opening of its new €20 million facility, chairman and CEO Fred Lampropoulos said the company was satisfied with its Galway operation which already employs 379 people.

Kenny said the expansion is “great news or the area and a real vote of confidence”. Merit set up at the Galway location about 16 years ago.

Headquartered in Utah, the firm makes devices used in interventional and diagnostic procedures in cardiology, radiology and endoscopy.

Elsewhere in Galway this morning, Kenny announced 37 jobs at software firm Copperfasten Technologies. Following a €500,000 investment from Oyster Technology, the expansion will help lead a significant export-led growth plan.

The investment was supported by Enterprise Ireland.  Based in Salthill, the company currently employs 15 staff members.