Ministers announce 37 high-end jobs in new €15m research centre in Cork

’Ireland partners with global leader to advance research capability and create high-value jobs’ - Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe TD

’Unique energy research project shows new economy will be clean, green and high-tech with Ireland at centre’ - Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan TD

The Government today [Monday] announced that United Technologies Corporation is to establish a unique energy and security research centre in Ireland creating 37 new jobs over the next four years through a €15 million investment.

The investment is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

The announcement was made in Cork today by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe TD, and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan TD.

The proposed research agenda is based on two main research themes - energy and security systems.

The centre will begin in the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork.

United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX), which is the 17th largest manufacturer in the US, is a global provider of high-technology products and services to the building systems and aerospace industries.

Its principal operating units include Otis, Carrier, UTC Fire and Security, Pratt and Whitney, Hamilton Sundstrand , Sikorsky and UTC Power.

UTC employs more than 200,000 people and operates in more than 70 countries.

The formation of United Technologies Research Centre Ireland (UTRCI) enables UTC to establish a European research base, thereby creating a strategic technological development presence in its US, Asian and European markets.

A key driver in this decision has been UTC's desire to identify global clusters of expertise to complement its corporate research centres which are based in the US and China where they employ 500 people.

An estimated 74pc of the research centres' technical staff hold PhDs or advanced degrees - a profile that is likely to be reflected in the Cork centre.

Speaking in Cork today, Minister O'Keeffe described the 37 new positions as 'well matched with the objectives of the "smart" economy and symbolic of the advanced technological capability of our workforce'.

'UTC is among the world's most respected technologically driven corporations and it is a global leader in its field across a range of business sectors.

'Today's investment is a unique opportunity for Ireland to partner with this global leader in advancing our research capability and creating high-value jobs in the clean technology sector.

'I am delighted that UTC has selected Cork's Tyndall National Institute in UCC, which specialises in information communications technology, to host the new centre,' said Minister O'Keeffe.

UTC also announced that it will become the founding member of the International Energy Research Centre (IERC) - a new initiative which will be jointly funded by Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Funding will come from industry sources, too.

Commenting on the announcement, David Parekh, UTC Vice President, Research and Director, UTRC, said: 'United Technologies Research Centre Ireland reflects our long-standing commitments to scientific excellence, business impact and pioneering innovation.

'As a catalyst and founding member of the International Energy Research Centre, jointly announced by Minister O'Keeffe and Minister Ryan, our Ireland operation will be the European hub of our network of global innovation.

‘We look forward to working with our Irish partners to grow our respective leadership positions in clean technology research.

In addition to the two Departments, stakeholders in the IERC will include key companies, both indigenous and from Ireland’s foreign direct investment portfolio, who will determine the research and development agenda.

The IERC will work with leading Irish research groups with technological interest and capabilities relevant to the sustainable energy field and leading European and international researchers working in the area of sustainable energy systems.

Speaking in Cork, Minister Ryan described the new project as a 'ground-breaking and exciting development in Irish energy and information communications technology research'.

'I am delighted by the collaborative nature of this joint investment by two Government departments in the creation of IERC.

'This critical piece of research infrastructure for Ireland's “smart” economy has the potential to drive sustainability initiatives and lead to substantial future investments in Ireland.

'We in Ireland recognise that competition for and use of resources, particularly energy, will define the future.

'Climate change and peak oil are certainties we have to guard against and the Government has recognised these challenges by setting our country on a low-carbon trajectory.

'Today's announcement is a positive response to the perils we face.

'I wish the project success and I hope it continues to develop in collaboration with universities and companies from around the world,' said Minister Ryan.

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