A US multinational, which in 2005 announced it was pulling out of Ireland, yesterday announced the creation of 315 jobs in Ennis, which will bring total employment at the plant to more than 400.

Microsemi produces equipment for the US space exploration programme and has already recruited 115 people since the start of the year.

It expects to employ an additional 200 in the next 18 months.

Two weeks ago, Shannon-based industrial diamond manufacturer Element Six announced a reduction of 150 jobs.

It comes against a background of an increase of 57 per cent in unemployment figures for Clare to 6,944 over the past 12 months.

Microsemi has been operating in Ennis since 1992.

Only last year, a 2005 decision to close Microsemi's Ennis operation was reversed and numbers have increased at the plant from 90 to 215 in the past 12 months.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan said the jobs announcement "is a clear demonstration of Ireland's premier position as a leading location for premium overseas high-tech manufacturing investments".