Two companies based in the Shannon Free Zone will create up to 285 jobs over the next five years as they expand their Irish operations, it was announced today.
Halifax Insurance Ireland, a subsidiary of British based bank HBOS, will add up to 185 new staff to its current total of 255 in Shannon. While Nasdaq-listed SYKES Enterprises will generate up to 100 new jobs.
The Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employmnet Michael Martin described the jobs announcemnet as "a tremendous boost" for the region.
Minister Martin continued"The SYKES Shannon office has a long established track record at the Shannon Free Zone; the business was first established in the area in 1987. Today's announcement is therefore a great tribute to the Sykes Shannon team's ability to deliver"
Mr Jerry White, managing director of Halifax Insurance Ireland the support of Shannon Development, the calibre of current staff abd and the favourable business climate in Ireland made Shannon the "natural choice" for expansion.
Colin Mitchell of Sykes added that the expansion, whilst increasing staff numbers would provide a boost to the wider economy through increased spend on professional services, telecommunications and general domestic expenditure.