Intel to create 134 jobs in Mid-West

More than 130 jobs could be created after computer chip giant Intel announced plans for a new research centre in the Mid-West.

The US multinational, which ten days ago moved to axe 300 posts at its flagship Kildare plants, is to expand its R&D business in the Shannon Free Zone, Co Clare.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said growing the level of R&D investment by new and existing multinationals in Ireland is a key Government priority.

“Knowledge is now the key to competitive advantage in smart economies,” the Tánaiste said.

“Today’s investment announcement by Intel gives very real meaning to our ambition to develop Ireland’s smart economy, and is a wonderful testament to the highly talented skills base at Intel Shannon,” she said.

Intel said the investment could create 134 jobs over the next four years in the Shannon area bringing the total employment to approximately 300.

Vincent Cunnane, chief executive Shannon Development, said: “This major investment at the Shannon Free Zone is a further vote of confidence in Shannon as a competitive location for high-tech knowledge based investment on a global scale.”

The investment will support two separate R&D projects developing the next generation of microchips for small to medium sized businesses and a second software development plan.

Intel Ireland’s Jim O’Hara said: “We are facing significant challenges in the global economic environment.

“However, it is important to recognise that we have weathered cyclical slowdowns before, most notably at the beginning of this decade... just as the Shannon operation came into existence.”

The investment was secured with the support of IDA Ireland.

Barry O’Leary, IDA Ireland chief executive, said: “Securing this investment by a leading company like Intel is an endorsement of both the availability of talented people in Ireland and the ’Team Ireland’ approach where the collaborative effort of state development agencies, local authorities and educational establishments results in winning new investments.”

In January, Intel revealed plans to slash its worldwide workforce by up to 6,000 and shut down five factories in the US, the Philippines and Malaysia.

The chip maker’s Irish wing, with flagship plants in Leixlip, Co Kildare did not escape unhurt with management confirming last week they were asking 300 workers to accept voluntary redundancy.

Bosses will return to staff in April and begin drawing a list of lay-offs. The process will run until the end of the summer.