More than 500 jobs are to be created in Dublin and in Co Kildare with the expansion of two US firms.

In Leixlip, Co Kildare, computer maker Hewlett-Packard is to hire 398 workers at its plant manufacturing cartridges for inkjet printers.

The company said it was seeking 300 operatives, 85 maintenance technicians, 10 IT engineers and three manufacturing engineers. Hewlett-Packard is also recruiting 40 sales and technical support staff at its marketing division in Blackrock, Co Dublin. When the latest investment is complete, it will bring employment levels at its Leixlip operations to more than 1,800. It has 100 workers in Blackrock.

Meanwhile, Citco Group, the US global funds administration specialist, is to hire 100 accountants, solicitors and securities specialists in a three-year expansion of its operations at the IFSC in central Dublin.

This follows the Central Bank's decision to grant the company a licence to provide an investment business in the State. Citco already employs 55 people in its banking operations at the IFSC.

It is believed that the bulk of the workers will be recruited next year. A company spokesman said all the vacancies were for professionals, most of whom would be hired within the State.

It is understood that Citco has committed about $5 million (€4.67 million) to its Dublin expansion.

The company said it would initially provide custody and administration services to funds with net assets valued at $4 billion. Overall, funds managed by the company worldwide are valued at $75 billion.

Citco plans to provide full independent third-party fund administration and accounting services, and registrar and transfer agency services.

"Ireland has become a jurisdiction of choice for many funds that are either Irish-domiciled or non-domiciled due to the availability of staff and a regulatory environment that recognises a variety of investment structures," said group director of fund services Mr Tony Stocks.