200 jobs to be created in three ventures

NEARLY 200 jobs are to be created at three business ventures in counties Offaly, Galway and Dublin.

A new Tesco Extra outlet in Portlaoise is to employ 93 staff, US software company NEI is taking on 50 in Galway, while delivery firm Nightline is to create 50 jobs in Dublin.

Tesco closed its old Portlaoise store last Saturday, transferring its 121 staff to the new Extra store. With the 93 new jobs, this brings to 214 the total employed by Tesco there.

Tesco store manager John Nolan said: “We’re delighted to welcome everyone to our new store in Portlaoise.

“We look forward to getting to know our new customers and to continuing a long and positive relationship with the community in Portlaoise,” he said.

Tesco Extra Portlaoise has a state of the art motion detection lighting system, rainwater harvesting and CO2-cooled fridges and freezers to help reduce the store’s carbon footprint.

Meanwhile, technology firm NEI is to create more than 50 jobs in a new manufacturing facility and support centre in Galway, with recruitment already taking place.

Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton said: “If we are going to retain and create large numbers of skilled jobs, we will have to build on our strengths as a destination for foreign direct investment. Today’s announcement shows that our traditional strengths are still there.”

Founded in 1997, NEI is headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts in the US, and employs 250 people around the world.

NEI chief executive Greg Shortell said: “The Ireland facility is part of NEI’s growth strategy and expansion into Europe. Ireland is a great place from which to do business, with ease of access to Europe, an increasingly competitive environment and a highly skilled and talented workforce.”

IDA Ireland chief executive Barry O’Leary said NEI will provide excellent job opportunities in the west region.

Delivery company Nightline is also creating 50 new roles as part of a €5.5m expansion at its Dublin headquarters to accommodate extra business.

Nightline already employs around 600 people and has depots in seven locations in Ireland as well as a facility in Lancashire, England.

Other new positions created in recent days include 200 jobs in Dublin and Limerick with US online retailer Gilt Groupe; as well as 170 jobs in Co Clare with Zagg, an American company that makes transparent screen covers for mobile phones.