28 New Jobs Announced At Becton, Dickinson And Company

An Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny TD and Minister of State, Mr Fergus O'Dowd TD visited Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) operations in Drogheda Co Louth, where €3.5m 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 Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Speaking to BD associates 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. For our part, the Government is committed to working with companies like BD to grow sustainable jobs and bring about economic recovery."

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.

(CD/JP)