DeCare International to create 210 new jobs in Co. Mayo.

New facility at Crossmolina and expansion of Claremorris operation.

"Investment a vote of confidence in the Irish economy" – Tánaiste

"Huge boost for Mayo region" – Harney

Tánaiste Mary Harney announced today (28^th November 2001) that DeCare International of the US, a leader in the US dental benefits industry, is to significantly expand its existing Irish operation in Co. Mayo with the establishment of a new facility at Crossmolina and the expansion of its existing operation at Claremorris. The €2.6 million investment, supported by IDA Ireland, is to create a total of 210 new jobs in the Mayo region.

The investment is part of DeCare's growth strategy and its pursuit of new global business opportunities through additional partnerships in the US and its expansion into new world markets.

“The securing of this second DeCare investment for Co. Mayo is in line with the objective of attracting additional investments to the Mayo region. It will provide significant additional employment opportunities for the people of the area and will make a further substantial contribution to its economy – this from a company which is already a major contributor to the region. It is a significant endorsement by DeCare of the strategic importance of the Co. Mayo facility to the Corporation's global business and an important vote of confidence in the Irish economy,” said the Tánaiste.

“Our Irish facilities have played a key role in helping us achieve our strategic business goals,” said Michael Walsh, president and CEO of DeCare International and a native of Co. Mayo. “We have incredible employees and we are pleased to open up an extension of our Claremorris operation. We would not be here if not for the encouragement of the various government agencies and individuals – especially Dr. Tom Moffatt TD. I want to thank Dr. Moffatt for all his valuable assistance – we are very grateful.”

The new Crossmolina facility will process dental insurance claims, as does the existing Claremorris operation, for one of DeCare's subsidiaries – Delta Dental Plan of Minnesota (DDPM) – and for other third parties in the US. DDPM sells dental insurance cover to corporate clients for their staff benefits programmes, either on a traditional insurance basis or on a self-insured basis, where the employer takes the risk and out-sources the administration to DDPM.

The Crossmolina facility will be an extension of the Claremorris operation. It will be located in a new 10,000 sq. ft. building, which the company is to lease following its construction by a local developer, on a site purchased by the company from Mayo County Council at the Industrial Park.

The Claremorris facility, which was established in 1999, currently employs 110 people. The claims it processes are received at DeCare International in Minnesota and, using digital scanning technology, are transmitted to the Co. Mayo operation via a virtual private network on the Internet. It is also responsible for DeCare's claim research function, which reviews/researches unusual circumstances surrounding claims prior to final claim adjudication. The facility is located in a rented 20,000 sq. ft. building, which was a privately financed initiative by the local community in Claremorris through the Business Expansion Scheme.

“The initiative by the local Claremorris community, which was a major contributing factor in securing the original facility, has now resulted in this further major investment for the County. Such initiative is a credit to the people of Co. Mayo and is an excellent example for other regional communities on what needs to be done to assist in attracting major IDA supported investments to their area,” said the Tánaiste.

DeCare International has a second operation in Ireland at Cork. DeCare Delta Systems Ireland (DDSI) is a software company currently employing over 70 people. Established in 1998, it provides software development support for the DeCare group of companies. It has developed an expertise in creating and programming Web-based applications and has extended its business to include third parties such as Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Avon, Delta Dental Plan of Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota and Washington Dental Services.

The DeCare International family of companies has established relationships with significant health insurance providers across the US. It has relationships with the largest medical carriers in Iowa and New York and its subsidiary, Delta Dental, has a partnership with the two largest medical carriers in Minnesota.

DeCare International, headquartered in Minnesota, US, has over thirty years experience in the industry. It is a designated non-profit making organisation and currently employs over 650 people. In 2000 it had revenues of $517 million, a 24% growth on the previous year.