Some 250 new jobs have been announced for Galway. Healthcare firm Zimmer will create the positions over the next five years at its facility in Oranmore.

Zimmer, which first established a manufacturing facility in Shannon in 2007, currently employs 330 people.

It is part of a €51m investment. The jobs are supported by the Department of Jobs through IDA Ireland.

The firm manufactures the femoral knee system, and is also now manufacturing the next generation of the product - which was recently launched in the orthopaedic market.

The company is expanding its footprint in Ireland after a strategic review.

Making the announcement, Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said: "Today's announcement that Zimmer, a world leading health care manufacturing company, is investing €5m and creating 250 additional jobs in Galway is a great boost for the west."

"I look forward to working with Adrian and all the team at Zimmer as they continue to grow their jobs in Ireland," he added.

Commenting on the announcement, the general manager for Zimmer Ireland, Adrian Furey, said: "Zimmer has had a very positive experience of doing business in Ireland. We are looking forward to building on the success of our Shannon operation by expanding in Galway. Our Shannon facility will continue to be our flagship for Ireland and we will continue to invest in our operations there."

The recruitment for all positions will begin in the coming months.

The CEO of IDA Ireland, Martin Shanahan, outlines the kind of positions they are hoping to fill.

Richard Bruton also welcomed the news: