The integrated circuit design company, Silicon Systems Ltd (SSL), is expected to create 150 new jobs, the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney said yesterday.
She was speaking during her tour of America and said SSL would create the jobs on the back of a new £8.2 million investment plan, which was backed by Forbairt. Most of the jobs are expected to be for electronic graduates at its offices in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Scotts Valley, California.
In addition to grant support for SSL, Forbairt is also planning to make an equity investment in the company.
Founded in 1993, SSL is now one of the largest independent semiconductor design houses in Europe. The company says it is looking for a 50 per cent growth in export markets over the next three years and this will bring employment to 270.
Speaking after meeting Ms Harney, SSL managing director, Mr Brian Long said the investment would equip the company to meet the global needs "of the next phase in advanced microelectronics development".
The chief executive of Forbairt, Mr Dan Flinter, said "the quiet revolution represented by creative Irish companies like SSL, showed that companies which use continuous innovation and a clear strategic focus" would prosper.
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