An American company, which provides technology systems for Internet access, is to set up a factory employing 50 people over the next two years at the Cork Airport Business and Technology Park.

The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, yesterday announced details of the investment by Com21 which provides cable modem technology and systems for delivering Internet access.

Com21 plans to establish its European Development Centre in Cork and will create 50 jobs in the software and hardware engineering disciplines over the next two years. Recruitment has commenced and some 17 senior staff have already been hired.