The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Martin, has announced that investments by Enterprise Ireland should create 495 new jobs over the next three years in a variety of projects.
The jobs are expected to flow from a €29 million investment, particularly in the area of research and development (R&D). About 17 companies are expected to create the jobs, with nine creating them directly in R&D. Mr Martin said the announcement demonstrated the diverse character of Irish industry.
"The focus on R&D is particularly important for Irish industry. In the years ahead successful companies will have developed a deep understanding of their customer needs and will invest on a continuing basis in applied research to deliver innovative customer solutions," he said .
He said 14 of the companies were outside Dublin and this indicated a commitment to balanced regional development.
Mr Frank Ryan, chief executive of Enterprise Ireland, said the investments were made during the first half of the year.
The Department released the names of the companies creating the jobs yesterday. The firms involved in the three biggest job creation projects were: Sigma Wireless Technologies, a leading telecoms company, which is creating 72 jobs; JFC Manufacturing of Tuam, Co Galway, a manufacturing firm, which is creating 47 jobs and Combilift of Clontibret, Co Monaghan, which makes forklift trucks, is creating 52 jobs.
Meanwhile a joint seminar organised by Trinity College's research and innovation service and Enterprise Ireland's high potential start-up unit took place at the college yesterday.
The seminar was part of a series of entrepreneurship workshops taking place at Trinity College and was opened by the college's provost, Dr John Hegarty.
Mr Kevin Sherry, high potential start up divisional manager-with Enterprise Ireland, said: "With the substantial increased investment in both basic and applied research within universities a key priority for Enterprise Ireland is to assist in the process of maximising the opportunities for commercialisation of this research..."
