Fazzi Healthcare Services is set to create 300 jobs over five years on George's Quay in Limerick city, as it establishes a new Irish-based coding and healthcare services company.

Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell O'Connor announced the move this morning, calling it "heartening" that such a large project had been secured for a regional centre and that it "represents the ongoing success of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs initiative, particularly the new Regional Action Plan for the Mid West".

Fazzi was established in 1978, is headquartered in Northhampton, Massachusetts, across the Atlantic and is the first company to engage in medical coding services in Ireland.

Its new Irish company has already begun providing coding services to the US homecare and hospice sector.

Additionally, expansion plans are in the works to add billing and distance learning offerings for international-based insurance companies and governmental healthcare entities.

Company founder Dr Robert Fazzi said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to be here in Limerick. Our Irish employees are clearly smart, dedicated and incredibly talented. We are very thankful to the IDA and the Irish government for welcoming us and helping us to develop our business here.

"Without question, Ireland has proven to be a country strongly supportive to the creation of innovative and growth oriented companies.”

Finance Minister Michael Noonan commented:

"It’s great to see Fazzi Healthcare Services grow their presence in Limerick which is proud to be host to such an innovative company that combines healthcare and software. There will be many more opportunities now to join this company which places great value in its employees.

"I’m sure that many people from Limerick will become valuable members of the team at Fazzi. This is further evidence that the Regional Action Plan for the Mid West is delivering for the people of Limerick.”