Flatley launches Connect Ireland initiative at Cork Airport

Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley has launched a campaign aimed at bringing more jobs to the Cork city and county.

A total of 164 new positions have been created in Cork over the last two years through the Connect Ireland initiative which rewards people for helping to keep jobs in the county.

Under the initiative, anyone who learns of a company expanding abroad contacts Connect Ireland. If the jobs are secured for Ireland, the person is paid a reward of €1,500 per job.

Chief operations officer with Connect Ireland Joanna Murphy told RedFM that Cork people have really embraced the initiative.

"We're going to have a presence from now on in Cork Airport engaging with people...asking them what their reasons are for visiting the country and, if they know an expanding company, getting to know them and asking them to register as a connector and continuing the dialogue from there," she said.

She added that Connect Ireland now has 200 registrations per week from Cork Airport.

"The people of Cork have really embraced it. They understand it and they're trying to help," she said.