US firm to create 100 jobs in Limerick

About 100 jobs will be created in Limerick over the next five years as part of a multi-million euro investment by US firm Analog Devices Ireland.

Semiconductor giant ADI is to invest €50 million in research and development at the Raheen campus, which will also include the construction of a 140,000-square-foot R&D centre and specialised laboratory space.

The highly skilled jobs created as a result of the investment will be in roles such as integrated circuit design and applications engineering.

Analog Devices chief executive Jerald Fishman said the contribution of the Limerick-based team played a part in its decision to locate the R&D facility there.

"Innovation is at the heart of everything that we do, and our Irish team is playing a key role in charting our course for the future," he said.

"Limerick has long been a strategic part of our global operations. This new investment demonstrates how well regarded the Irish team is internationally and will help to further strengthen the strategic nature of the Irish operations in our evolving R&D network."

The investment is being supported by IDA Ireland.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton welcomed the announcement.

"If Ireland is to achieve the jobs it so badly needs, we must not only continue to attract multinational investments, but we must also ensure where possible that these investments bring R&D and high-value jobs to our economy," he said.

"Not only does this create crucial jobs, but it also creates substantial spin-off benefits to Irish businesses and researchers and ultimately to the economy."

ADI already employs more than 1,000 people are employed in manufacturing and design at the US electronics firm, which has been in Ireland for about 35 years.

Last year ADI announced a €23 million investment in R&D at the Limerick plant.