Dell, the US personal computers maker, has prepared two prayer rooms for male and female Muslim employees at its new £65 million (€82.53 million) manufacturing plant in Limerick which has commenced production.

The company brought in 105 employees from its plant in Penang, Malaysia, last weekend to train the workforce in a new production line system, based on two teams of three people completing the assembly of a PC. The special dietary requirements of the Muslim employees have also been taken on board.

Mr Pat Casey, human resources director, said the steps taken were part of a policy to look after the needs of a multi-cultural workforce.

Dell employs 3,500 people across its three manufacturing facilities in Limerick and 850 in its sales and support offices in Bray, Co Wicklow.