DIY group expansion to create 200 jobs

DIY group Homebase is to create 200 jobs in Ireland with the opening of four new stores.

The first store to open will be Sligo in March, followed by Drogheda in July, Longford in October and Killarney next year.

This will bring the total number of Homebase stores in the Republic of Ireland to nine.

Divisional General Manager, Paul Frewin, said "We already have over 300 permanent employees working in the country across our current store network and this will rise to 500 within the year."