Tánaiste announces 115 jobs for Shannon Free Zone

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Irish Minister for Enterprise Trade and Technology, has announced the creation of 115 new jobs at the Shannon Free Zone by two leading international services companies, backed by Shannon Development.

US company, Travelsavers International Inc, are creating 65 jobs in a newly set up European Operations Centre as part of their globalisation strategy, and Pacific Network Services (Europe) Ltd are expanding their operation in the Free Zone by creating an additional 50 jobs.

Making the announcement on Wednesday February 27, the Tánaiste said: "This is a tremendous boost for Shannon but it is also a shot in the arm for the economy as a whole. We have been through a tough time in the latter part of last year but I believe that today's announcement is another indication that we have turned the corner.

"The creation of these jobs in different business sectors is an endorsement of the Shannon Development strategy of encouraging a wide diversity of business activity in the Shannon Free Zone. The Free Zone had been cushioned from the severity of the general downturn in the ICT sector, and the events of September 11, by the fact that the 126 companies located there operate across a diverse range of international business sectors and markets. With nearly 8,000 people employed, the Free Zone is one of Ireland's leading business centres."

Welcoming these job announcements, Kevin Thompstone, chief executive, Shannon Development, said: "Shannon Development is continually investing in the Shannon Free Zone to ensure that it provides top class facilities for companies targeting European and international markets. The Free Zone has seen a significant shift in employment towards globally competitive companies in knowledged based international services which were targeted by Shannon Development".

(GB)