Homegrown companies will create almost 500 jobs over next three years

ALMOST 500 jobs will be created in 17 homegrown companies over the next three years, thanks to a €29 million investment programme announced yesterday by Enterprise, Trade and Employment minister Micheál Martin.

The programme has received support from state business development agency Enterprise Ireland and will concentrate on improving innovation, marketing and business development skills among the selected companies. More than half of the total investment, or €17 million, will be spent on applied research and development.

Four Cork companies are among those that will benefit. Food company Kepak will add 35 staff at its facility for making ready-made meals in Watergrasshill. Clonakilty-based call centre operator Ecom Interaction Services will take on a further 25 employees.