Tánaiste Announces 202 New Jobs For Donegal Enterprise Ireland Supports International Services Growth in Donegal IDA at Advanced Stage of Negotiations with Large US Financial Services Company for Letterkenny - Harney Government Committed to Job Creation and Development Needs of Donegal - Tánaiste

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Thursday 17th February, 2000) announced details of a major investment package leading to the creation of 202 new jobs for Donegal. Most of the jobs are in the Internationally Traded Services area and all of them are in Irish companies.

Making the announcement in Donegal the Tánaiste said "The Government is committed to job creation and the development needs of Donegal. The Enterprise Ireland backed projects arise out of intensive promotion activities by the Agency. I have also been making intensive efforts over the past 18 months to promote industrial development in Donegal and I am particularly pleased that two Dublin based technology companies wishing to expand their existing operations have chosen to locate satellite operations in Donegal. Access to an adequate supply of qualified labour, cheaper accommodation costs, lower turnover of staff have all been influential factors in helping companies make the decision to locate part of their operations in a regional location."

In the context of further industrial development for Donegal the Tánaiste said that more good news is on the way for Donegal "The IDA are at an advanced stage of negotiations with a large US financial services company about the setting up of a software development centre in Letterkenny. The centre could create 150 jobs for software development and IT specialists providing opportunities for IT graduates of Letterkenny Institute of Technology with whom the company will work closely. A final decision is expected in the next few weeks," she said.

The Tánaiste added "The North West has excellent educational facilities, access to affordable accommodation, advances in telecommunications infrastructure, and constant improvements in transport all contributing to the overall appeal of the region as an attractive alternative to Dublin. Overall this region boasts a quality of life that is hard to beat."

She continued "This Government is deeply committed to Regional Economic Development and Enterprise Ireland has allocated specific financial resources and staff to ensure greater dispersal of economic activity throughout the regions. Other regional centres throughout the country can emulate the success of the North West and too can attract these fast track enterprises."

According to Dan Flinter, Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Ireland "Each regional office together with Head Office support will play its part not only in facilitating enterprise creation but in participating in partnership with other groups in the complete development of a region. Our policy is to ensure that a significant number of Irish owned fast track enterprises will be located in the regions and to further facilitate existing Dublin based companies wishing to expand to or locate in the regions."

He continued "Software is the fastest growing sector of the Irish economy and we are committed to its further development and expansion. We work with companies in this sector to help them grow to the scale required to compete effectively in international markets and helping them overcome a number of distinct challenges. "The future prospects for the Irish software industry are promising and Irish companies are world leaders in banking, telecoms and computer-based training."