Up to 150 new jobs are to be created at Fexco, the Kerry-based international financial and teleservices company, by 2000.

As part of the company's expansion, a £5 million information and technology services building was officially opened in Killorglin yesterday by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern. The new centre, supported by Forbairt, will house approximately half of the existing 350 staff from Fexco's Iveragh Road facility in Killorglin.

The high technology operation will focus largely on the Gulliver All-Ireland Tourism and Information Centre a joint venture between Fexco, Bord Failte, and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

"This alliance will provide the platform required to further extend the lead which Irish tourism is taking over its other international rivals, through Gulliver, and other leading tourism initiatives," said Mr Ahern.

Taking 1,500 calls per day, Gulliver provides comprehensive tourist information and a telephone reservation service for 10,000 Bord Failte approved hotels and guesthouses around Ireland. Two Irish companies, Flexicom and A.H. Connolly and Associates, designed the Gulliver software, which currently serves Britain, the US and Ireland. A further 12 European Bord Failte offices will divert their lines to Fexco next year.

Fexco took a 74 per cent stake in Gulliver last summer. The cost of the investment will be about £3 million once the service has been fully developed, according to Fexco managing director, Mr Brian McCarthy. The majority of Fexco's employees provide telephone services for a portfolio of financial and business services. These include Fexco's foreign exchange and tourist tax refund services, Western Union's UK Money Transfer call centre and Coca-Cola's freephone information line.

An information technology company, Fexco IT, employs 57 people creating systems for clients throughout Europe.

Fexco is involved in a joint venture with the Department of Education providing post-leaving certificate courses, and funding 25 personal computers in the Scoil Ui Chonaill secondary school in Cahirciveen. An evening course in computer skills is also provided for 100 adults at the school.

"Initiatives like this are an excellent way of breaking the barriers," said the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue a local TD at yesterday's launch of the 35,000 sq. ft. facility.