Tánaiste Mary Harney, today (Friday, 30th April 1999) announced that Beacon Integrated Solutions, a leading Irish-owned SAP consultancy company, will create 50 new jobs, at Limerick's National Technology Park. The expansion, which will bring overall employment to 63, is backed by Shannon Development.

Making the announcement, the Tánaiste said, "the achievements of Beacon Integrated Solutions since its establishment in March 1998, demonstrates the capabilities of Irish owned software companies, renowned for their comprehensive sectoral knowledge, high skills levels and high work ethic".

The Tánaiste said that "Ireland is now recognised as one of the most vibrant high tech economies in Europe, with the software sector a major contributor to this phenomenon, recording a 12% annual growth rate since 1990. The sector which is set to become one of the largest industry sectors in the economy by the year 2000 is 80% Irish owned. This is as a prime source of high growth software development services and innovative products".

"Beacon Integrated Solutions, which has attained an exceptionally high operational level in its first year, is an example of the calibre of indigenous companies coming through the innovation process in Ireland. It is not surprising that the Shannon Region is now the second largest IT location in Ireland," the Tánaiste said.

Beacon Integrated Solutions, recently awarded partnership status with SAP UK, provides customised services to clients within Ireland and Europe as a certified SAP partners, and is now one of the top SAP resources centres in Ireland specialising in several industry sectors, including aerospace, assembly manufacturing, process manufacturing and financial services. The Tánaiste complemented management at Beacon for developing a groundbreaking, market-driven international consultancy enterprise at the National Technology Park adding "the company has the type of leadership and vision required to become a world class consultancy operation".

Congratulating Beacon on its success, Shannon Development' Chief Executive, Paul Sheane added, "companies such as Beacon, clearly demonstrate that the region's indigenous sector has undergone tremendous transformation. Traditionally operating in a locally traded base, Irish companies now have the technological capability to compete internationally, with niche market products. The strategic importance of a strong system of innovation such as exists in the Innovation Centre, is pertinent for promoting the flow of this type of innovative company and for developing national economic competitiveness in the long term".