Science park could create 6,000 high-end jobs

UP TO 6,000 high-end jobs could be created by an ambitious Silicon Valley-style innovation and research campus to be built in Cork.

Amid the gloom of recession and rising unemployment, details of Ireland’s first “science park” will be announced by county manager, Martin Riordan, this morning.

The Cork Science and Innovation Park, which will be built on a 150-acre (60 hectares) site at Curraheen, could create up to 6,000 jobs and contribute about e450 million per annum to the local and regional economy once completed.

It is hoped the first phase — a dedicated UCC hub to foster start-up companies and a research building — will be delivered by 2012.

The park, which will drive Ireland’s “smart economy” will be marketed globally by the IDA to attract world class researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators and investors.

Once completed, it will feature:

130,000sq m of enterprise space.

30,000sq m of research space.

A “critical hub” building to foster innovation.

A dedicated research building to foster and promote start-up companies.

A range of other specially designed offices and buildings for companies involved in hi-tech research and innovation.

A high-level implementation group including Cork County Council, University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland has been set up to deliver the first phase within two years.

Part of the site, which is close to CIT, is owned by UCC and both will play key roles in the success of the venture.

Mr Riordan described it as a “defining project for Cork” that will help attract both foreign and indigenous investment.

“This site is unique in Ireland because of its proximity to the buildings and landholdings of two third-level institutions which have a significant track record in research and innovation.

“It precisely embodies the idea of the ‘knowledge economy’, the strategic economic path for the future.”

Several private landowners own the rest of the site and talks are at an advanced stage in the hope that some will become partners in the park, which will be funded from a combination of public and private sources.

UCC president Dr Michael Murphy said it provides a wonderful opportunity for the city and the region.

“A science park close to UCC will serve to strengthen even further the close ties that exist already between the university and industry in Cork, particularly in the IT and pharmacies sectors.”

CIT president Dr Brendan Murphy said it will make a significant contribution to creating and retaining high-value jobs for the well-educated workforce in the region.

County mayor Cllr Noel Harrington said the park will create a unique Irish environment.

“The projected level of employment in world-class research, innovation and knowledge-driven technology enterprises, is very significant and is concentrated on third and fourth level graduates, in the main.”

IDA Ireland’s chief executive officer, Barry O’Leary, said it will be marketed around the world through their global office network. “Research suggests that such parks help as an engine for growth within a region.”

International consultants, Atkins, in collaboration with Roger Tym and Partners and Goodbody Economic Consultants, have worked on the project for a number of years.

Cork County Council will begin a period of public consultation before the end of the month.