350 jobs boost for Co Cork

A total of 350 new jobs are to be created in Co Cork through developments by the Pepsi-Cola soft drinks giant and the Delta Homes building firm.

Pepsi, who already have an Irish workforce of 260, plan to significantly increase that figure over a five-year period at a new facility which was being opened today in the town of Carrigaline by Tánaiste and Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Mary Harney.

The €82m project – which will eventually employ 250 – is backed by the IDA, which encourages overseas investment in Ireland.

Delta Homes’ new venture at Cobh, Co Cork, will lead to 100 new posts.

Harney said the “high calibre” investment development by a world-leader like Pepsi-Cola demonstrated “that where maintaining the highest standards of product-quality, production

standards and efficiency are of critical importance to global companies, Ireland still ranks high among the leading locations worldwide for such operations.”

She added: “It is our ability to provide the highest quality skilled people at all levels of the operation that enables Ireland to continue to win such investments.

“Through this investment, Pepsi-Cola will further increase its already important contribution to the Irish economy.”

Last week it was announced that nearly 1,000 high-tech jobs were to go early next year in Dublin and neighbouring Co Kildare.