Major jobs boost for County Leitrim

US company, MBNA, the world's largest independent credit card lender, is to expand its operation in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim with the support of IDA Ireland.

The company will create a further 500 jobs in the expansion project which involves an investment of approximately €32 million over the next five years.

Making the announcement, Tánaiste Mary Harney said: "MBNA already employs 450 people in Ireland and this investment will more than double the company's workforce here.

"It is an expansion of an existing operation thus deepening the company's roots in Ireland, it is in the area of financial services which has been identified as one of the key growth sectors and, perhaps most important of all, it is going into a key location within the BMW region. The investment is an important statement of confidence in the continued competitiveness of the Irish economy and its significance cannot be overstated."

The operations centre in Carrick-on-Shannon currently employs 450 people in activities such as inbound and outbound telemarketing, marketing, customer service, credit decisions and administration. The company markets primarily to groups, associations and financial institutions with strong ties to their members and customers. It is projecting strong growth prospects in its US and UK markets and plans to enter other international markets, resulting in the need to undertake this significant expansion in Ireland.

The proposed activities at MBNA's Carrick-on-Shannon operation will be similar to those carried out at present and will provide opportunities for people with post-leaving certificate qualifications, diplomas and primary degrees.

Construction work has recently begun at the site and the building is due for completion by December 2002.

Regional Director of MBNA Ireland, Mr Ian O'Doherty stated that MBNA were very pleased with the decision to locate part of the Ireland operation in Carrick-on-Shannon. "Since we opened here in July 2001 we have had great success with the people and we are confident that this success will continue with the expansion," he said.

(CL)