MBNA plans 300 jobs in Leitrim centre

International credit card company MBNA is now finalising plans to establish a base in Carrrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, which could create 300 jobs over the next two years, the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, confirmed yesterday.

It emerged in January that MBNA, the largest independent credit card lender in the world, which employs 185 people in Dublin, was interested in buying 13-acres of land in the town from Leitrim County Council.

The announcement yesterday from Ms Harney's office that the company is to set up a teleservices and data processing centre was widely welcomed in Co Leitrim. If the project reaches projected job targets, MBNA would become one of the biggest employers in the county, second only to the wood processor Masonite which has a staff of more than 300.

Ms Harney said it was excellent news for Carrick-on-Shannon and the whole of Leitrim. MBNA, as a world-leading company, could provide a wide range of high-quality jobs for the people of the area and an opportunity for those working elsewhere to return home, she said.

The managing director of MBNA Ireland, Mr Ian O'Doherty, confirmed that plans were being finalised and said further details would be given at a formal announcement in some weeks' time. A planning application is to be lodged with Leitrim County Council shortly. In January, MBNA said it wanted to expand its Irish operations from its Dublin headquarters on St Stephen's Green. Staff there service European and US bases and Mr O'Doherty said the Dublin office combined a business development unit and a call centre. The Carrick-on-Shannon facility would be an extension of this.

A member of the town's Chamber of Commerce, Mr Liam Farrell, said he was "absolutely thrilled" with the announcement. "Obviously there is great delight and pride that MBNA has decided to locate here," he added.

All the statistics indicated how badly Leitrim needed a project like this, as the county had the poorest industrial base in the State, lacked infrastructure and had experienced severe emigration, Mr Farrell said.

It is understood that one of MBNA's US executives has family links to Carrick-on-Shannon and the company has had use of a premises in the town for some years.