Ireland's first science park to be built in Cork

It has been confirmed that Ireland's first science park will be built in Cork with the potential for 6,000 new jobs.

The project, which will be located on a 150-acre site at Curaheen is expected to pump €450m into the local economy every year.

Cork County Council, UCC, CIT, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are all involved in the development and it is hoped the first stages of the park could be in place by 2012.

Cork Chamber president Joe Gantly today strongly welcomed the announcement.

“The proposed science and innovation park will be a key element in the regional infrastructure supporting the growth of today’s global knowledge economy,” he said.

“Enhancing and extending the existing levels of connectivity between industries, third level institutions and research institutions within the region will undoubtedly add to the regions ability to attract investment.

“The Chamber has long been an advocate of the view that providing a location in which researchers and companies can work in close proximity to one another would build on the inherent strengths Cork has and would stimulate the economic competitiveness of the region.”

Speaking to Cork's Red FM, county manager Martin Riordain said that it was a step forward for Cork.