Ireland will learn within weeks whether it has secured Intel's $80bn project and 10,000 jobs   

Intel's payroll in Ireland could eventually rise to 16,500 people if the mooted project goes ahead

Taoiseach Micheál Martin pictured with Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger at the construction site of Intel’s latest manufacturing expansion in Leixlip, Co Kildare, in September. 

Ireland is weeks away from learning whether it has secured a $80bn foreign direct investment project from chipmaker Intel which will in time create up to 10,000 jobs.

Intel already employs more than 5,000 people at its sprawling 360-acre Leixlip, Co Kildare facility and at a site at Shannon, Co Clare and the investment will be the first test of Ireland's ability to attract huge projects after the Government last month signed up to the global accord to increase corporation tax to 15%.