More than 1,200 jobs to be created in Dublin and Cork

MORE than 1,200 jobs are to be created in three new business investments in Dublin and Cork.

The US computer company, 13COM, in Blanchardstown, Dublin, will make a major announcement today, and the creation of 500 jobs in two other projects in Dublin and Cork was announced yesterday.

The US company is to announce a major expansion programme of its plant at Ballycoolin Business Park, understood to be likely to lead to about 700 to 800 dew jobs. Some of these may already have been lifted. The announcement is to be made by the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton.

3COM, based in California, established a plant in Ireland four years ago. It has already exceeded its jobs targets in manufacturing computer networking products, and its plant includes a major research and development centre which designs and develops specific integrated circuits.

The expansion programme is understood to include the research as well as the manufacturing operation. It will bring "3COM's total investment in Ire land to more than £200 million and employment to around 1,200 jobs. The company employs 5,000 people worldwide.

Fidelity, one of the world's largest fund managers, yesterday announced it is to establish a technology centre in Dublin, creating 400 jobs within five years. The pharmaceutical company, Sandoz, said it is to create more than 100 jobs in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, in an expansion programme costing up to £60 million.

Sources said IDA Ireland is in "the advanced stages of negotiations with a range of other companies, and other major jobs announcements are expected within weeks. The companies involved are understood to be in a range of sectors and include a number of major electronics and services projects.

Fidelity's move results from a drive by IDA Ireland to attract the support services of major financial companies to Ireland. The Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, met Fidelity management on his recent visit to the US, when final details of the project plan were agreed.

Announcing the Fidelity decision, Mr Bruton described the response to the IDA drivers "extremely encouraging" and said he expected to be able to make further announcements in this sector before the end of the year. Fidelity is to employ 260 people over the next three years, rising to 400 within five years. IDA Ireland believes that at least 5,000 more jobs could be created in this sector in the medium term, and Mr Bruton has said he expects further announcements in this sector shortly.