Menu
28/09/2005
Pharmaceuticals 'increasingly important' economy sector says Ahern
The Minister for Trade and Commerce has said that the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector has become increasingly important to the Irish economy.
Addressing delegates attending the 2005 Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Workshop Minister Michael Ahern said: "The Pharma Sector is a major direct contributor to the Irish economy. The sector was the largest contributor of corporation tax in 2003, at 1.1 billion euro.
"The high value added and knowledge intensive nature of the industry is also reflected in the level of exports in the sector which now account for around 40% of total manufacturing exports from Ireland. The Sector employs almost 17,000 highly skilled people directly and provides very high quality employment – approximately 50% of those employed directly in the Sector are third level graduates. Indirect employment, particularly in the construction industry is also very significant. In the Wyeth Biopharma project alone, 2,500 people from the building sector were employed at its peak. The Pharma industry has a major benefit for engineering / project design companies."
Mr Ahern said that many of the projects attracted to Ireland were "becoming strategic global supply plants." He said Ireland had attracted 13 of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies in the world and 25 of the top 50. Furthermore he said that almost all of these companies had been involved in continuing re-investment.
The Minister said: "The sector’s exports have grown by 13 million euro annually over 1999-2004 and are projected to grow annually by a similar amount over 2005/07. In addition, there are dozens of indigenous companies employing several hundred people who sell into the pharma market as one of several vertical markets, as well as a couple of hundred people who are self-employed or involved in pharma distribution."
Highlighting the quality and skills of the workforce, the Minister said that to continue to compete successfully, companies needed "to develop their Research and Development capabilities and create strong intellectual property in their core business."
He said that the Government was committed to a five-fold increase in investment in research via the current National Development Plan, including significant strategic investment through both Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions as well as through the Industrial Development Agencies.
"At the end of August 2005, SFI had awarded over €464 million to more than 600 projects to support in excess of 1,000 outstanding researchers and their teams in creating the knowledge and driving the discoveries to underpin future competitiveness in key industries such as bio and pharmaceuticals.
Such public and enterprise sector commitment is necessary if we are to meet the challenges and targets set out in the National R&D Action Plan which calls for R&D investment to rise to 2.5% of GNP by 2010. Becoming a truly knowledge and innovation driven society requires a holistic approach," said the Minister.
(SP)
Addressing delegates attending the 2005 Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Workshop Minister Michael Ahern said: "The Pharma Sector is a major direct contributor to the Irish economy. The sector was the largest contributor of corporation tax in 2003, at 1.1 billion euro.
"The high value added and knowledge intensive nature of the industry is also reflected in the level of exports in the sector which now account for around 40% of total manufacturing exports from Ireland. The Sector employs almost 17,000 highly skilled people directly and provides very high quality employment – approximately 50% of those employed directly in the Sector are third level graduates. Indirect employment, particularly in the construction industry is also very significant. In the Wyeth Biopharma project alone, 2,500 people from the building sector were employed at its peak. The Pharma industry has a major benefit for engineering / project design companies."
Mr Ahern said that many of the projects attracted to Ireland were "becoming strategic global supply plants." He said Ireland had attracted 13 of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies in the world and 25 of the top 50. Furthermore he said that almost all of these companies had been involved in continuing re-investment.
The Minister said: "The sector’s exports have grown by 13 million euro annually over 1999-2004 and are projected to grow annually by a similar amount over 2005/07. In addition, there are dozens of indigenous companies employing several hundred people who sell into the pharma market as one of several vertical markets, as well as a couple of hundred people who are self-employed or involved in pharma distribution."
Highlighting the quality and skills of the workforce, the Minister said that to continue to compete successfully, companies needed "to develop their Research and Development capabilities and create strong intellectual property in their core business."
He said that the Government was committed to a five-fold increase in investment in research via the current National Development Plan, including significant strategic investment through both Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions as well as through the Industrial Development Agencies.
"At the end of August 2005, SFI had awarded over €464 million to more than 600 projects to support in excess of 1,000 outstanding researchers and their teams in creating the knowledge and driving the discoveries to underpin future competitiveness in key industries such as bio and pharmaceuticals.
Such public and enterprise sector commitment is necessary if we are to meet the challenges and targets set out in the National R&D Action Plan which calls for R&D investment to rise to 2.5% of GNP by 2010. Becoming a truly knowledge and innovation driven society requires a holistic approach," said the Minister.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 March 2009
Pharma Jobs Boost For Carlow
Around 60 new jobs are to be created in Carlow by the pharmaceutical facility, Merck Sharp & Dohme. The recession-beating jobs are the result of the construction of a new €20m vaccines and biologics facility in the town this year. The firm says 170 people will be employed when the facility opens in 2011.
Pharma Jobs Boost For Carlow
Around 60 new jobs are to be created in Carlow by the pharmaceutical facility, Merck Sharp & Dohme. The recession-beating jobs are the result of the construction of a new €20m vaccines and biologics facility in the town this year. The firm says 170 people will be employed when the facility opens in 2011.
29 September 2006
Busting The Myths About The New Age Regulations
With new laws coming into force this Sunday banning ageism in the workplace, the TUC has produced a ten-point online myth-buster in an attempt to debunk some of the myths surrounding the new age regulations.
Busting The Myths About The New Age Regulations
With new laws coming into force this Sunday banning ageism in the workplace, the TUC has produced a ten-point online myth-buster in an attempt to debunk some of the myths surrounding the new age regulations.
05 January 2006
Service sector employment accelerates
The latest figures from NCB for the Republic of Ireland's economy indicate that the services sector continued to expand in December and that confidence about future activity levels in the sector has risen. At 61.1 in December The Business Activity Index was well above the no-change 50 marker level, which although down on the November level of 62.
Service sector employment accelerates
The latest figures from NCB for the Republic of Ireland's economy indicate that the services sector continued to expand in December and that confidence about future activity levels in the sector has risen. At 61.1 in December The Business Activity Index was well above the no-change 50 marker level, which although down on the November level of 62.
04 February 2009
Boston Scientific Close Letterkenny Plant
A large pharmaceutical company has announced plans to transfer manufacturing from its Letterkenny base to its Galway site. The move by Boston Scientific follows a review of the medical device firm's operations in Ireland.
Boston Scientific Close Letterkenny Plant
A large pharmaceutical company has announced plans to transfer manufacturing from its Letterkenny base to its Galway site. The move by Boston Scientific follows a review of the medical device firm's operations in Ireland.
18 January 2012
Hamilton Queries ICTU Job Loss Claims
Strangford DUP MLA and Assembly Private Secretary in the Department of Finance Simon Hamilton has questioned the ICTU’s claim that Northern Ireland is set to lose over 25,000 public sector jobs. Mr Hamilton said such claims were cobbled together and totally irresponsible.
Hamilton Queries ICTU Job Loss Claims
Strangford DUP MLA and Assembly Private Secretary in the Department of Finance Simon Hamilton has questioned the ICTU’s claim that Northern Ireland is set to lose over 25,000 public sector jobs. Mr Hamilton said such claims were cobbled together and totally irresponsible.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
