There's to be a major development in Co Mayo that will add about 75,000 square feet to a medical devices company's facility and create 200 construction jobs.

Work is expected to begin late this year and to be completed before the end of 2011.

The leading healthcare firm Hollister is also to create 250 jobs for staff when the work in the west of Ireland plant is finished.

Batt O'Keeffe, the Dáil Enterprise Minister, said the expansion will have an enormous economic impact on the region as it represents a €65m investment at its manufacturing plant in Ballina, Co Mayo.

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"Hollister has been part of the business community in Ballina for almost 35 years, contributing more than €52m annually to the Irish economy, including €40m spent on salaries and materials sourced locally in the west of Ireland," the Minister said.

"Ireland hosts 15 of the world's top 25 medical devices firms and Hollister's expansion plan demonstrates to the global investor community that our economic recovery is possible and we remain an attractive location for advanced manufacturing.

"I look forward to building on our strong relationship with Hollister and helping the firm to grow in Ireland."

(BMcC/GK)