Four companies are to create 100 jobs in Cork and Dublin as IDA Ireland confirmed they would set up operations here, with a further 30 jobs coming to Tullow Oil's Dublin operation.

Games developer Red 5 Studios, human capital management consultancy and technology services firm Aasonn, Van Tibolli Beauty and research firm Qualvu are establishing their European headquarters in the State, bringing new jobs with them.

Red 5 Studios, which is to set up in Cork, will create 30 jobs, recruiting for community management, localisation, and player support teams.

“We needed a place in Europe that was accessible to all sorts of native speakers and all sorts of cultures,” said chief executive Mark Kern.

“Ireland has become this diverse Metropolitan area where people from France and Germany and all over Europe come together. That’s really great for us because we can’t be everywhere in Europe at once, but we can be in Ireland, and by being in Ireland we can tap into all the cultures and all the territories around very readily.”

The remainder of the firms will be Dublin-based. Aasonn, which delivers cloud-based human capital management software solutions for customers across a range of industries, will create 30 jobs. The company said its operation would mirror that of the US, selling into the entire EU.

“There has never been a better time to invest in talent and this expansion will allow Aasonn to continue to deliver the same world-class services that Aasonn is noted for throughout the world,” said chief executive Allen Peterson.

“The decision by Aasonn to establish its European headquarters in Ireland is as a result of the country’s excellent reputation for hosting the overseas operations of companies at emerging level. Ireland also provides an excellent highly skilled workforce with the innovative tendencies to make this operation a success.

Van Tibolli Beauty, which provides GK Hair products, will add 25 marketing and customer support positions. Qualvu, which provides web-based qualitative research, will bring 15 new jobs to the capital.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton also confirmed two additional firms, analytics firm Infobright and financial services firm Md7, would set up their European headquarters in Dublin.

“Central to this Government’s plan for jobs and growth is developing and deepening the impact of multinational companies here. We must attract more companies, we must ensure that they locate higher-value activities here, we must ensure that they have a greater impact on the economy,” he said.

“Targeting high-growth emerging companies is a key part of this, as these companies will establish deep roots here from early in their growth, and ultimately have a substantial impact on our economy.”

Separately, Tullow Oil said it would increase its Dublin staff by 30 per cent, adding 30 new jobs in geophysics and information systems this year.
Ten of the positions will be created at Tullow's global geophysical technology group, which supports exploration and production activities, with a further seven at its subsurface technology group.
The exploration firm also plans to increase the headcount at its information systems unit.