14/04/2008

High Level Meeting Heralds Huge Jobs Boost

There's good news on the jobs front this week with potentially thousands of new hi-tech jobs set to be created in Northern Ireland's financial services industry.

The Irish Republic's Finance Minister - and Taoiseach-elect- Brian Cowen is announcing that 'blue chip' companies based in the Republic may now set up subsidiaries in Northern Ireland.

He will make the announcement following a meeting with Finance Minister Peter Robinson in Belfast today.

The meeting between the Irish leader-in-waiting at Stormont with Peter Robinson is especially appropriate as he is expected to be chosen as the new DUP leader today and later to become as the Executive's First Minister.

An International Financial Services Centre was created in Dublin more than 20 years ago.

Companies that located there were entitled to attractive tax breaks and this brought in many big names in the financial services industry, who create tens of thousands of jobs - but there were strict rules about the way in which the firms could operate - and many of the companies located there can't fill their vacancies.

Mr Cowen is to announce that the law is being relaxed, meaning that firms based in the centre can open offshoots north of the border and yet retain their tax breaks.

It is understood the Department of Finance in Dublin has taken legal advice and believes its proposals do not contravene EU law.

Several big firms are already known to have an interest in taking advantage of the measure.

The importance of this step is not just in terms of the number of jobs it could create in Northern Ireland - but also the quality of the jobs - most will be for graduates and will be well paid.

(BMcC)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 May 2014
107 Jobs Created By Financial Firm
107 new jobs are to be created as part of an £8m investment by a Belfast-based financial services group. Spence & Partners are to create the new jobs over five years through an £8m investment in the local economy.
23 February 2017
First Trust To Close 15 Branches In NI
Over 100 jobs are at risk after First Trust Bank confirmed it is to close 15 branches in Northern Ireland. First Trust, which is owned by AIB in Dublin, said the closures had been a "difficult decision". Head of First Trust Bank, Des Moore, said the bank has seen a 40% decline in branch usage since 2010.
10 May 2007
Stormont assembly holds first meeting
Northern Ireland’s new power-sharing assembly is to meet for the first time today at Stormont. The ministers are due to discuss the issue of water charges.
08 November 2013
7,000 Apply For 100 PSNI Jobs
More than 7,000 people have applied for 100 jobs with the PSNI. The recruitment drive is the first for the force in three years. On Thursday, the PSNI released the recruitment figures, and Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said she was encouraged by the response to the campaign. Around 30% of applicants are from a Catholic background.
24 January 2017
Financial Services Firm To Create 160 New Jobs In Belfast
A financial services firm based in London is to create 160 new jobs in Belfast. FinTru confirmed it is expanding its Belfast centre of excellence and is to recruit 60 experienced roles and 100 graduate roles over the next five years.