A company specialising in business services and customer support is planning a €1.5 million investment that will lead to the creation of 50 jobs.

Cork-based Abtran yesterday announced that it will invest the money in research and development and professional services and the jobs should be created within one year.

The company also predicted that the move would lead to further significant employment expansion over the next three years.

Abtran provides customer support and contact services to a range of clients, including An Post, Dublin City Council and the National Consumer Agency.

The company also provides visa and consular services for the British government in relation to a number of countries.

Abtran said yesterday that it would be seeking graduates with skills in areas like research and development, business analysis and software development.

It will recruit the new staff over the next 12 months.

The company's managing director, Michael Fitzgerald, said the expansion would allow Abtran to capitalise on opportunities in its sector.

"We see further business expansion taking place among clients in Ireland, Europe and the US," he said.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, revealed details of the company's expansion at a function at its headquarters in Bishopstown, Cork.

State agency, Enterprise Ireland, is supporting the project.

The agency's chief executive, Frank Ryan, said that Enterprise Ireland was working with Abtran to develop international markets for its services, and had provided it with funding for its research and development activities.

He added that this had facilitated the growth of its research and development department.