Taoiseach to announce jobs boost for Cork

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will make a significant jobs announcement in Cork this morning as recruitment firm Oxford International unveils a major expansion.

The company, which places IT and engineering specialists all over Europe, currently employs 65 people at its European headquarters at Penrose Quay.

Today’s announcement has been described as a “significant expansion” of its European operations out of Cork.

The Taoiseach will be joined by the company’s global president Michael McGowan, vice president John Murray, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, and several business leaders.

The Taoiseach will also launch the city’s new local enterprise office (LEO) today.

The LEO will be a “first stop shop” for anyone who wants to start or expand their business and create jobs.

The new facility builds on the success of the Cork City Enterprise Board and will be strengthened by the broad reach of Cork City Council.

New protocols have been developed with key agencies such as Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, Microfinance Ireland, and the Credit Review Office to ensure streamlined access to a range of government supports.

“We are bringing our business knowledge and supports from the Enterprise Boards into Cork City Council to deliver a more streamlined service for our clients, building on the long history of supporting business over the years in Cork City Enterprise Board,” said Adrienne Rodgers, head of the new LEO.

Assistant city manager Dan Buggy said the office will also deliver a comprehensive range of business training ranging from Start Your Own Business courses to Social Media and eCommerce.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, vice president Mary Lou McDonald, the party’s finance spokesman Pearse Doherty, and its EU candidate for Ireland South, Liadh Ní Riada, will hold a press conference in the city this morning on the country’s emigration crisis, before canvassing on St Patrick’s Street.