Govt announces new jobs in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Birr

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and Tanaiste, Mary Harney, have announced the creation of more than 1,000 jobs in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Birr.

Churchill Insurance is to create 600 jobs in Ballybritt in Galway.

Thomson Learning Solutions is to create 280 jobs in Limerick and a further 80 in Birr, Co Offaly.

In Cork, meanwhile, the Elan corporation plans to create between 250 and 300 jobs over the next five to six years at a new bio-pharmaceutical facility in Macroom.