DETAILS of around 1,000 new jobs, mainly in the software, services, electronics and healthcare sectors, are expected to be announced today. The jobs, many aimed at young graduates, will be located mainly in Dublin by companies which are expanding existing operations.
The announcement will follow the news last week that Gateway 2000, the US computer company, is to create 1,200 extra jobs in north Dublin over the next three years, as part of a £25 million investment programme.
In all, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, will unveil details of 14 projects, which will be backed by IDA Ireland.
The largest project is an expansion by Quintiles, a company which processes the data associated with clinical pharmaceutical trials.
The latest expansion will create 180 jobs, bringing staff numbers in Ireland to 280. The company's headquarters is in the US.
Kindle Banking Systems is to create 100 jobs by establishing a software help desk service in Dublin's East Point Business Park, near Dublin docks.
Kindle was recently acquired by Misys, the British based computer solutions group.
The Kiadle project brings to more than 1,000 the number of jobs in the East Point park.
Late last year, it was announced that America Online (AOL), the largest provider of on line computer services in the US and German media giant Bertelsmann were to create 500 jobs in Dublin through a joint venture project. Earlier this month, the US software group Oracle Corporation said it would invest £50 million in a new tele marketing centre in Dublin. To be located at East Point, it will employ 400 people when fully operational.
The project is expected to begin operating next month and is one of more than 30 telemarketing projects which IDA Ireland has managed to woo to Ireland, since it began targeting such services as a growth area three years ago.
IBM, which employs more than 300 people in its various operations in Ireland, is to set up a "pan European" support centre for network services and communications in Dublin. The project will create an additional 46 jobs.
IBM was involved in a £2.2 billion buyout of Lotus Development last year, in a move which analysts said would herald a new era in the software market.
Further job announcements are expected ink she coming weeks. IDA Ireland said earlier this month that new project approvals for the first quarter of 1996 were in line with last year, which was a record for the agency.
Today's announcements will help temper the recent job losses at Packard Electric in Tallaght and the Key Tronic plant in Dundalk. Key Tronic cut 316 jobs at its Co Louth plant. Both US owned plants complained of competition from the Far East as one of the reasons for closure. One of Dundalk's biggest employers, Key Tronic will continue to employ 76 staff and focus on the distribution and development of computer keybords.
