E-cigarettes set to deliver massive Connemara jobs boost

A pharmaceuticals company is poised to announce the creation of up to 100 new jobs, which will boost employment in North Connemara. 

The Connacht Tribune understands that Rossport Pharmaceuticals is set to establish a manufacturing hub at its factory in Corr na Móna. 

The company is affiliated to KIX, which is headquartered in Belfast. The announcement is expected to be made early next week and could be attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton.

KIX are manufacturers and suppliers of vaping equipment and e-cigarettes, which are new alternatives to tobacco and cigarettes. The company this week sought to fill the position of an accountant based at Corr na Móna, and it is expected to advertise manufacturing jobs in the coming weeks.

It is understood the new positions will be in manufacturing, sales and administration.  Users of electronic cigarettes aren’t ‘smoking’, they are doing what’s known as ‘vaping’. The ‘cigarettes’ are battery powered, which heats a liquid that is flavoured and can be smoked.

They are refillable, and come in a range of flavours and different strengths of nicotine. Eastenders actor June Browne, a smoker, was recently seen ‘vaping’ live during an interview on the Late Late Show on RTÉ.

Galway West TD, Fianna Fáil’s Éamon Ó Cuív, who is based in Corr na Móna, said a jobs investment of this sort would be “fantastic” news for North Connemara.

“If it materialises, it would be a hugely welcome employment boost for the area,” he said.

Deputy Ó Cuív said Corr na Móna, like all rural areas, has suffered from an inability to match jobs with the qualifications of its young people.

“There are a very high number of young people with high-end, third level qualifications and trying to find jobs for them locally is always a problem. There will be no problem filling these jobs and it is a positive development for Corr na Móna,” said Deputy Ó Cuív.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune