Relocation firm, hotel group create 200 jobs

Details on more than 200 new jobs for Dublin were announced yesterday in two separate projects.

Paragon Global Resources, a US relocation firm, announced plans to open its international headquarters in Blanchardstown, creating as many as 100 jobs, while hotel chain Radisson SAS said it was looking for 122 people to fill positions at its new Royal Hotel, which is due to open in the city centre in June.

Paragon Global, which specialises in international and domestic relocation, human resources and real estate services, is investing €3.7 million over the next five years in the development of its new European headquarters.

The move, which is supported by IDA Ireland, was welcomed yesterday by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin.

He said the company was joining a successful pool of international services firms that have already established themselves in Ireland.

He particularly welcomed news that three-quarters of the new recruits will be third-level graduates with a financial and business background and the ability to speak a foreign language.

"We are very pleased that management expertise and language skills were key attractions for Paragon in choosing Ireland for its international headquarters," Mr Martin said.

Joseph Morabito, president and chief executive of Paragon Global, described the decision to set up in Dublin as a major vote of confidence in Ireland as a place to do business. "Ireland offers a competitive business environment in which to operate as well as excellent access to continental Europe and a well-educated flexible workforce," he said.

Last year Paragon relocated 10,000 families globally, a number it hopes to increase by 30-40 per cent over the next five years thanks to the new Irish operation.

Radisson, meanwhile, said it was seeking to fill 97 full-time and 25 part-time positions in the areas of housekeeping, administration, revenue maintenance and sales. Yesterday's announcement by Radisson brings the number of people employed by the group in Ireland to 1,350.