Up to 100 jobs will be created by two Irish-based technology companies in Mayo and Athlone over the next 12 months.

Xonen Technologies, an Irish-based research and development company that develops next-generation optical disc storage technology, said yesterday it would recruit up to 60 people as part of plans to develop its manufacturing operations in Mayo.

The jobs announcement was made following the inclusion of Xonen's chief executive, Mr John Quinn, on the shortlist for this year's Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Meanwhile, wireless technology company 2PM Technologies has received new funding of €760,000 from Enterprise Ireland, which will lead to the creation of 40 high-tech jobs. The jobs will be located in 2PM's headquarters in Athlone, Co Westmeath, and will be a mixture of technical, customer service and marketing.

Last December, the company received funding of €3.3 million from ICC Ventures in a deal that valued the firm at €16.5 million.

Plans by Japanese PC and chip manufacturer NEC to close and sell PC plants in Scotland and Malaysia are unlikely to have an impact on its chip testing and assembly plant in Ballivor, Co Meath, a company spokesman said yesterday. NEC employs around 300 people at the plant.

The struggling electronics group, which has been hit hard by last year's IT slump and aggressive foreign rivals, recently announced plans to shift the bulk of its PC manufacturing to low-cost operations in China.