Jobs boost as marine research and airline sectors to create 190 new posts

MORE than 90 jobs have been created in marine research and the seafood processing sector.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny made the announcement on a visit to national research vessel the RV Celtic Explorer in Dublin yesterday.

A €3.5 million grant by the Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme will generate 64 jobs, while funding of €2m has been made available for an International SmartOcean Graduate Programme to provide 28 research posts.

Mr Kenny said Ireland has been recognised as an emerging power in marine research and innovation.

He said: “This has been achieved through the mapping of the 90% of Irish national territory that lies under the Atlantic, the creation of a quarter of a billion euro-worth of marine research infrastructure, and the fostering of strong linkages between industry and research centres, all of which will support employment opportunities in key areas of potential growth in the marine sector.”

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is also recruiting 100 staff to support its growth around the world.

Etihad chief executive, James Hogan, in Dublin to participate in the Global Irish Economic Forum at Dublin Castle, said: “We’ve built close relationships with Ireland and with Irish communities around the world since we began our service to Dublin four years ago.

“We have directly invested more than €16m into Ireland over that time. That money has gone into our premium lounge and ground operations at Dublin airport, our Dublin line maintenance centre and of course our sponsorship commitment as a supporter of GAA hurling.”

*Etihad’s recruitment open days will be held at the Burlington Hotel on 30 November and December 1. Open days are also planned for Belfast and Cork.