Tánaiste Announces 100 NewJobs for Kilkenny InFoScore Opens New Software Centre

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced today (7th July 2000) that InFoScore Group are to establish a software development and data processing centre in Kilkenny, which will create 100 new jobs over the next three years. with The project, supported by IDA Ireland, will be located in the office building in the IDA Business and Technology Park, Kilkenny.

"InFoScore’s choice of Kilkenny as a location for their new centre is excellent news for the people of Kilkenny. The wide range of high quality jobs will provide an opportunity for those working elsewhere to return home and will also be of particular interest to people with software skills, who otherwise would have to leave the area. It will make a significant contribution to the local economy and will enhance IDA’s promotion of Kilkenny and the South East to potential investors," the Tánaiste said

.InFoScore plans to employ a range of management grades, programmers and data processors. 60 people will be employed in the software centre and 40 in the data processing centre over the next three years. The company intends to employ both new graduates and experienced software development personnel. Recruitment has already started for the key management group and the build-up of employees will continue during the summer.

"Winning this first overseas software development project –Infoscore, for Kilkenny was the result of close cooperation between IDA Ireland, Waterford Institute of Technology and Kilkenny Industrial Development Company (KID Co). This type of proactive cooperation is vital for the success of IDA's drive to spread inward investment into the regions." said the Tànaiste.

The Tánaiste, in welcoming InFoScore at a reception in Kilkenny said that their arrival to the city followed rapidly on the recent decision by VHI to develop its new Business Centre in Kilkenny, providing customer support services. VHI presently employs 720 people in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway and the new facility at the Dublin Road Industrial Park, Kilkenny, will open in August and will provide an additional 100 jobs over the next 3 years.InFoScore credit data services include consumer credit rating for the business-to-consumer sector, risk analysis for the business-to-business sector and online credit rating for the e-commerce sector. InFoScore serves the overwhelming majority of the German mail order sector and is one of the leading providers of credit data to mobile phone companies. In February 2000 InFoScore launched its credit service eScore which enables payment on open account on the Internet. eScore minimises the risk of non-payment for online merchants who want to offer their customers the opportunity to shop on credit.

The new software development centre in Kilkenny will be responsible for the engineering of new software applications and the re-engineering of existing applications. The majority of resources will be concentrated on the development of Internet portals and e-commerce products, such as eScore. The data processing operation will analyse and collate information regarding German companies in order to establish credit profiles.

Kilkenny, with over 180,000 people living within a 40 mile radius, two leading institutes of technology within 30 miles, and Dublin Airport less than two hours drive is very well positioned to attract International Services companies. The on-going availability of Advance Office buildings on the IDA Business & Technology Park and the continuous improvement in telecommunications and all other utilities will ensure that Kilkenny is fully equipped to benefit from the IDA's focus on attracting overseas business to the regions.