Massive jobs boost for Cork and Limerick

In a timely intervention to the election climate, the Republic's Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tánaiste Mary Harney have announced the creation of a total of around 1,300 jobs in the south and west of the country.

Mr Ahern was at Macroom, Co Cork, to announce the creation of between 250 and 300 jobs resulting from the development of pharmaceutical company Elan's plant over the next six years.

The move will also provide a significant turnaround for the local economy that suffered 670 job cuts when the General Semi-Conductor plant closed last year. Elan now plan to rebuild the 16-acre site as part of a €66 million investment.

In a boost for the coalition partners, an upbeat Mr Ahern said: "Today's announcement reminds us of the soundness of the national economy and of our confidence that the international economic climate is improving."

In Limerick, Mrs Harney was on hand to welcome Thomson Netg's €12 million expansion which is expected to net 360 jobs for the area.

Setting a similar tone, Mrs Harney said: "This investment represents an important vote of confidence in the Irish economy and demonstrates that Ireland continues to be an attractive location for overseas investment."

Thomson Netg, in cooperation with the IDA, have pledged to develop a satellite operation in Birr, Co Offaly, with the creation of 80 jobs.

In addition, the Tánaiste announced that Motorola Semiconductor Design Centre at the Airport Business Park, Cork, has been approved for IDA Ireland support under its R&D Capability programme. The support is for the establishment of a dedicated Research Team at the Centre.

The IDA have also revealed that around 600 jobs will be created as UK insurance company Churchill expands into the Irish market. The investment is expected to occur over the next five years.

Mr Ahern has said that the Dail will meet next week, at which point observers believe the election will be called.

(GMcG)