An €11.7 million national centre for software engineering research will be established in Limerick.
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) confirmed funding of €11.7 million would be given to the Irish Software Engineering Research Centre which will work to maintain Ireland's standing in the industry.
Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Micheal Martin announced the new centre this morning
The centre, which will be located mainly at the University of Limerick, will provide a focal point for software engineering researchers working to establish better ways of building and maintaining software.
Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Micheal Martin said: "This SFI award to the centre will further our credentials as a major software engineering player, providing the world class infrastructure needed to excel in this area, enabling Ireland to punch above its weight in this significant field."
The centre will also involve top research scientists working at Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and Dublin City University under Professor Klaus Pohal, the scientific director of the centre.
Several companies have also agreed to work with the centre on a co-operative basis to improve their software development methods. Some of these companies include Analog Devices, IBM Ireland, Iona Technologies, Intel Ireland and Motorola.