Jobs boost as IT and green-tech firms expand

A green-tech Irish company and a technology firm are to create more than 40 jobs in separate investments.

M/A-COM Technology Solutions, a leading supplier of high-performance analogsemiconductor solutions, is to expand operations in its Cork base.

Some 30 staff are to be taken on at the plant, which acts as international headquarters and the centre for its integrated circuit design.

Sean Sherlock, research and innovation minister, said: “IC design companies like M/A-COM Tech are of significant importance to Ireland’s foreign direct investment portfolio. I wish the company every success in the future and offer the continued support of the Irish Government as M/A-COM Tech continues to grow its Irish operations.”

In a separate jobs boost, Galway-based Cellulac has been approved for a record €2.8m cash injection from the European Commission to create 14 high-end jobs.

The grant will be used to commercialise its biorefining technology that converts agricultural waste into lactic acid. The investment will fund 14 posts and the recruitment of graduates from the life sciences and engineering sectors.

Chief executive Fin Murray said: “This win and our confidence that Cellulac will be filling key R&D roles locally is a testament to the investment poured into the development of the life sciences and green-tech sectors over the last number of years.”

Elsewhere, five companies are to create 77 jobs.

European firms Culture Translate, Diaceutics, Nimble Apps, iMosphere and Unique Digital are to establish operations in Limerick, Dundalk and Dublin.

The announcements were made as part of IDA Ireland’s Expand and Internationalise Your Business Through Ireland event in Berlin tomorrow.