Dell Computer's announcement yesterday that it plans to take on 800 new staff before t he end of the year, underpins a recruitment schedule which involves employing an additional 3,000 people in the Republic over a five-year period at its Limerick and Bray facilities.

In an exercise which coincided with the publication of Leaving Certificate results, Dell says it will be offering around 500 new jobs at the company's European manufacturing facilities in Limerick, while a further 300 jobs will go to the sales and support centre in Bray.

Dell currently employs more than 4,000 people at its three Irish facilities, two of which are Limerick based. A third manufacturing facility in Limerick is under construction and is expected to be operational by the end of this year. Dell says it will accommodate an additional 1,700 employees "if market conditions continue as expected".