Hi-tech call centre to create 75 jobs

AN American-owned multinational is set to announce the creation of 75 jobs in Co Cork, doubling the existing workforce at its plant in Little Island.

Schlumberger Information Solutions Ltd, a subsidiary of the giant Schlumberger corporation, has operated a hi-tech IT call centre at EastGate since early last year.

The company, which employs multi-lingual graduates, operates a 24-hour international help desk for businesses experiencing difficulties with computer software.

The announcement of a 4 million investment and the creation of 75 jobs will be made tomorrow morning by Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Harney.

“At present there are 75 people working for the company in the EastGate centre. That figure will increase to 150 before the end of the year,” a company source said.

Schlumberger will tonight show a special exhibition at Little Island and has invited students from local third-level colleges to attend. It is set to advertise shortly for graduate vacancies at its Little Island office.

The parent company operates in over 100 countries worldwide and has 80,000 staff drawn from more than 100 nationalities. Last year it had a total revenue of more than €13 billion.

Schlumberger, which has several divisions including gas and oil drilling services, has operated in Ireland since the mid-60s when its Belfast manufacturing plant was established.

Since then, the company has also provided reservoir evaluation and development services on every well drilled in Ireland to date, most notably the Kinsale gas discovery by Marathon in the 1970s and the Corrib gas discovery off the West coast.

Mary Harney and her junior minister Michael Ahern will leave the Schlumberger reception to travel to Youghal in the afternoon. The town lost nearly 400 jobs in two huge blows which were just two months apart.

Last December it was announced that Artesyn Technologies was to close with the loss of 160 jobs and in February an even bigger blow was struck when Technicolour Home Entertainment Services revealed it was to make 234 workers redundant.

The Tánaiste will meet with members of the local town council, the chamber of commerce and a task force which has been set up to try and nullify the effects of the jobs losses.

“We are not sure if Mary Harney will be making any announcements, but we hope she will come with something positive which is on the horizon,” town mayor Mary Linehan-Foley said.

The Tánaiste will also be met by representatives of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland.