100 new call centre jobs for Cork

Up to 100 new jobs are to be created by a marketing consultancy firm at its customer services centre at Blackrock, Co Cork.

The company, called Cims, will provide 24-hour assistance to customers of financial institutions including Royal Bank of Scotland, Norwich Union and Lloyds TSB.

Staff will handle customer queries relating to lost and stolen bank cards, credit cards and arranging emergency cash for people overseas.

The news will come as a welcome boost to the Munster region following yesterday's announcement of 500 job losses at food company Dairygold before the year is out.