The national electricity supplier yesterday announced a massive employment boost for thousands of workers as part of a €1bn a year investment in new green technologies.

It was applauded for "stepping-up to the plate" to boost the ailing economy but the positions will not be fully in place until 2013.

The jobs, which include installing charging docks for electric vehicles, will be advertised in phases. Predominantly contract positions, they will only last as long as the projects they are involved in, for anything up to 15 years.

Recruits will work in a variety of renewable technologies to reduce CO2 emissions, including smart meters, which enable householders to reduce their energy bills, electric vehicles, wind energy and home insulation. The ESB will also take on hundreds of new engineers and provide training for 800 apprentices, including 400 Fas apprentices who lost their jobs during the slump.

The first 500 new jobs will be created this year, with initial opportunities in the rollout of free energy efficiency surveys for 25,000 households and the installation of insulation in homes. A further 550 workers will be employed in construction, most of them in revamping the old ESB headquarters in Fitzwilliam Street in Dublin.

Chairman Lochlann Quinn described the building yesterday as "old and obsolete" and the move was an opportunity to "enhance the city".

The site attracted controversy when it was first planned in the 1960s, with protesters opposing plans to knock down 16 Georgian houses to facilitate the development. Despite the public outcry, the government granted permission for the modern building to be built and a row of houses, known as Dublin's "Georgian Mile", were demolished.

Chief executive Padraig McManus denied that the 3,700 new jobs were "aspirational" and said he was fully confident they would be created. "The world is moving to smart metering now. This is infrastructure that has to be rolled out and this is just the start."

Mr McManus said job creation must now be a priority for companies who could invest.

"ESB has the will, ability and commitment to take a lead and to invest in viable enterprises and inject energy in to the economy," he said.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the jobs announcement was "refreshing" and "a major step in advancing the Government's commitment to Building Ireland's Smart Economy".

He pointed out that the Government's Framework for Economic Renewal, launched in December last year, emphasised the importance of moving away from fossil fuel-based energy production through investment in renewable energy. Energy Minister Eamon Ryan said the announcement was "great news for the economy at this crucial time" and applauded the ESB for "stepping up to the plate" and creating jobs.

Fine Gael spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Simon Coveney, welcomed the news but said the Government must harness all opportunities for job creation in this area.

Anne-Marie Walsh, Industry Correspondent

A call centre in Co Cork is set to announce plans to create 250 new jobs in the coming years.

Abtran is planning to create the jobs at a new innovation centre at its Bishopstown facility.

The company, which carries out sales, customer service, administration, claims and financial management processing, already employs 600 people in the area.

Abtran intends to have all 250 graduate-level positions filled by the end of next year and recruitment has already commenced.

Big Fish, which employs 350 people, is to create the 100 jobs at its Mahon facility in Cork.

The company, which was established in 2002, specialises in casual games for the internet or mobile phone, including the iPhone. It was set up by the ex-Real Networks executive, Paul Thelan.

The new jobs were announced by the Minister for Labour Affairs, Billy Kelleher TD.

"The decision by Big Fish Games to open its European HQ in Cork and create 100 jobs at its Mahon facility was strongly influenced by its global success to date," Kelleher said.

"In this difficult economic environment, it is important to stress that Cork, and Ireland, continues to be an extremely attractive location for new investment and for existing companies to develop and expand their business.

"I congratulate the management of Big Fish Games, and given the performance of its operation to date, I am confident of its future growth and success," Minister Kelleher concluded.

As well as mobile games, Big Fish Games distributes online web browser games that are free to play and are advertising supported. The company also operates a social network for online gamers called My Game Space.

John Kennedy

Pharmaceutical company Helsinn is to establish a Centre-of-excellence in Research and Development for Oral Solid Dosage (OSD) at its Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals facility, one of four businesses at its site at Mulhuddart, Dublin.

The investment of over €13 million, which is supported by Government through IDA Ireland, is anticipated to create 10 high-value research positions.

Helsinn's core business is the in-licensing of late-stage pharmaceutical compounds in therapeutic niche areas for development and subsequent commercial manufacture and distribution.

The company is primarily active in oncology supportive care, anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal treatments. The investment is part of Helsinn's strategic decision to strengthen its in-house development capability.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan TD said "This investment will establish the Irish operation as the Centre of Knowledge and Learning for OSD products in the Helsinn Group and also the launch site for new products within its portfolio. Strategically it is very significant for the Irish operation, putting it at the core of Helsinn's R&D activities. The investment is very much in line with the Government and IDA strategy of transformation of existing Irish operations of international companies, particularly into R&D and knowledge-based activities."

Helsinn's Irish operation was established in 1990, when it acquired Birex Pharmaceuticals in Dublin. To-date Helsinn has invested a total of over €55 million in Ireland and continuously invests in its plants in order to maintain high quality and safety, to increase overall production capacity and to offer its partners up-to-date products, technologies and services. It now employs a total of 210 people at its four separate businesses - Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals, Helsinn Chemical Ireland and sales and marketing companes, Helsinn Birex Therapeutics and Ergha Healthcare division.

Riccardo Braglia, Chief Executive Officer of the Helsinn Group said, "This new investment in R&D is another important step for the Irish operation and will be of significant benefit for the future of our international business, with the aim of centralising in the new plant any scientific development for Oral Solid Dosage products".

Debbie O'Halloran

Durkan Residential has established a subsidiary company, Durkan EcoFix, to insulate houses and apartments and install new heating systems which could knock 60pc off the cost of heating homes.

Yesterday it said up to 150 jobs will be created, including specialist insulation installers, plumbers, electricians, plasterers, carpenters and Building Energy Rating assessors. Back-up office jobs will also be created.

Last week Energy Minister Eamon Ryan announced that €50m would be made available in grants for people owning pre-2006 properties which would benefit from improved insulation and new boilers.

Working closely with IDA Ireland, PayPal has designated the Dublin Centre as PayPal's first regional centre of excellence and the model for PayPal's international operations worldwide. PayPal employs around 900 people at its Dublin Centre.

To support the new Dublin Centre, PayPal will invest more than €15 million to train employees and optimise operations to meet the needs of PayPal's growing European customer base.

Additionally, PayPal will enhance its Dublin workforce with new business processes and regional intelligence positions such as business analytics, product design, risk management, information technology, operations and merchant services.

"We've grown significantly since we first opened our doors in Ireland in 2003, supporting our growing European business and the millions of customers who live in this region," Scott Thompson, president of PayPal said.

"This growth is testament to the wonderful collaboration we've received from the Irish government and the talent of our employees here in Ireland, both of which have been critical to our past success and our future growth plans," he added.

PayPal's systems support more than 70 million active accounts in 190 markets and 19 currencies around the world.

This investment illustrates that Ireland has the capability and the capacity to continue to attract overseas investment during the current global economic climate," Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD said at the opening.

"Ireland will continue to invest heavily in education to ensure a supply of skilled, multilingual graduates in order to assist companies, such as PayPal, to develop and grow their businesses here.

"For the continued success of existing operations in Ireland it is extremely important that companies have or put in place an agenda to constantly increase their strategic importance within their parent company. Today's developments by PayPal demonstrate this agenda perfectly," the Taoiseach said.

He added: "Ireland is becoming renowned as a location for the most important digital media and Internet-based companies, with many of the world leaders in the sector now located in Ireland.

"This additional PayPal commitment to Ireland is an excellent further endorsement of IDA Ireland's strategy to grow and develop the digital enterprise cluster here in Ireland," Cowen said.

Nationwide UK said it had one of the strongest balance sheets in UK financial services, in terms of its construct and its quality, with assets of around £200bn.

Opening the building society's offices in the IFSC yesterday, Tanaiste Mary Coughlan said the arrival of Nationwide UK into the Irish market was a vote of confidence in the economy and highlighted the opportunities for prudent operators within the banking sector.

"I expect the appetite for safe and sound savings products at present will more than justify their decision to open for business here.

The minister said she was hopeful that the number of jobs they have created will increase significantly in the years ahead."

The new operation will create 20 jobs. The building society is to offer customers a range of savings products initially, but has not ruled out expanding into other areas of banking.

The building society's easy access savings account pays 2.75pc. There is a minimum deposit of €2,000, up to a maximum deposit of €2m.

A six-month fixed-rate account, with a minimum deposit of €3,000 pays an annual equivalent rate (AERY) of 3.02pc.

Early closure is allowed, but will result in a 90-day interest charge on the total balance.

Minimum

There is also a nine-month fixed-rate saver account with an AERY of 3.11pc. The minimum deposit is €3,000.

Carl Gandy, managing director Nationwide UK (Ireland), said:

"The Republic of Ireland has a strong savings market and our aim is to offer competitive interest rates and provide long-term good value to customers."

The company's announcement was hailed yesterday as a "positive long-term commitment" by business leaders.

It brings the total employment figure at the company's facility to 460 people during construction. A further 170 people will be hired once the facility is up and running in 2011.

The plant will specialise in making and filling vaccines which help to prevent and treat a number of health conditions.

Dr Michael Thien, vice-president with Merck Manufacturing Division, said the move was a further indication of the company's "long-term commitment to Ireland and Carlow".

Construction of the biologics facility has been making progress in the past six months.

President of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce David Walsh said the jobs were "very welcome given the decline in development elsewhere".

He said that the opportunities were significant for tradesmen across the region and the company offered long-term employment prospects for graduates from Carlow Institute of Technology.

Merck Sharp & Dohme has a number of existing operations in Ireland, with a plant in Clonmel employing 360 people and a corporate base in Leopardstown, Co Dublin, employing more than 100 workers.

Eimear Ni Bhraonain

Carlow County Enterprise Board has assisted with the start up of three new companies, including Homefix Property Solutions, a 24-hour emergency service and Danelle Recycling, which will recycle more unusual products, and Gael Energy.

While 50 new jobs will be created at Homefix Property Solutions, two new positions are available at Danelle.

Tanaiste Coughlan also heard news of the launch of the third company, Gael Energy, which will specialise in solar panels for domestic and commercial use.

The company is at the early stages of development, but, according to CEO of Carlow County Enterprise Board, Michael P. Kelly, up to 30 jobs could be created in the future.

After visiting Enterprise House on the O'Brien Road last Thursday, Tanaiste Coughlan then met CEO of Integrated Communications Limited, (ICL), Eamonn Wynne.

He announced that 25 new jobs are on the cards for the company after it was contracted by UPC to introduce faster broadband speeds in the county.

The new jobs will see cable technicians, civil engineers and project planners taken on by ICL.

Parcel Link UK is opening a new transfer centre in the next two weeks, with the creation of 35 positions.

The firm, which provides parcel delivery services, is expected to create a further ten jobs in the next three months.

A further 1,160 new posts are identified in a science and technology park, shops, offices, plus health and education facilities.

The 73-acre site at Grangegorman is the planned new location of a campus for Dublin Institute of Technology which, at the moment, is spread around 40 centres in the city.

As well as DIT, the site at Grangegorman will be the location for a new centre for mental health patients, a primary school and public library.

The new study entitled 'Joining up the Dots' recommends an integrated strategy to ensure that the site's potential is realised.

John Fitzgerald, chair of the Grangegorman Development Agency, said yesterday: "Dublin's north inner city has always been one of the most disadvantaged areas in the country.

"We have the opportunity to not only provide top class health, education and community facilities in this location, but to also create employment when it is needed most.''

DIT President Professor Brian Norton said, "This study . . . identifies clear routes and responsibilities for all to ensure that this unique opportunity delivers the best outcomes, particularly in terms of education and employment."

The furniture outlet is planning to hold recruitment open days in the near future to showcase the opportunities available.

Competition for the positions is expected to be intense.

At the open days, workers will be chatting about their work and their company at the Ballymun Civic Centre, IKEA's products will be on display and people will be given the chance to learn more about the training program, sales, logistics and food services.

The 350 job places still left include perks like a contributory pension scheme according to Mary McCarthy, of IKEA.

Its opening will be a welcome boost for the north Dublin area after months of delays due to work on the M50.

An Bord Pleanala set a requirement that the M50 must be improved before the opening of the store.

Local Cllr Ray Corcoran says: "We all want it open for the employment. There's going to be 500 jobs and 250 for the Ballymun area when it comes."

Confident

The €110m development includes a 500-seat restaurant, a bistro, a cafe and a Swedish food hall as well as a free creche. It will have more than 1,500 parking spaces and will carry almost 10,000 products.

The 30,500 square-metre building has been erected on a site bordering the M50 and St Margaret's Road.

And despite the economic downturn since the massive plan was first mooted, IKEA is still confident that the store will attract 2.75m customers in its first year alone.

The store had hoped to construct a massive illuminated tower on the M50 to give motorists advanced warning of the stores opening.

However, Fingal County Council said the plan would be excessive, visually obtrusive and "incongruous".

Ikea's first Irish store was opened in Belfast in December 2007, and it has 292 stores in 36 countries worldwide.

There had been a number of objections to the Dublin development, including one from Green Energy Minister Eamon Ryan, but An Bord Pleanala granted permission in 2007 subject to some 30 conditions.

Emmet Farrell

A HUGE new investment in Ireland by Hewlett Packard will create 300 jobs immediately and could ultimately provide 1,000 or more, it was announced yesterday.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen hailed the move as "an important vote of confidence in Ireland as an investment location".

And IDA chief Barry O'Leary declared: "This is a great win for Ireland. It doesn't get much better."

A total of 500 jobs will be created over the next 12 months at the technology firm's campus in Leixlip in the areas of technical support, R&D and training. Recruitment for 300 multi-lingual workers for the company's Global Service Desk will begin immediately.

Skills

HP's managing director in Ireland, Martin Murphy, said that extensive and available language skills were a key factor behind the investment, which could create as many downstream jobs, as other companies are encouraged to Ireland by the proximity of expertise and know-how.

The decision makes Ireland a centre of excellence for large outsourced contracts for HP worldwide. The initial €18m investment is supported by the IDA.

Besides worldwide tech support, a substantial part of the growth plans involve the creation of a research, development and innovation capacity for HP in Leixlip.

The company is one of the largest multinationals in Ireland, with 4,000 jobs maintained in north Kildare, Dublin, Galway and Belfast.

The Taoiseach, flanked by Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Mary Coughlan, congratulated HP management here for winning the investment for Ireland.

He pointed out that last year there was a 14pc increase in IDA-sponsored investment in this country.

IDA CEO Barry O'Leary said there were now 150,000 people working in multinational companies attracted to Ireland. Foreign direct investment contributed 80pc of GDP, and only the Netherlands and Singapore were ahead of Ireland in this regard.

He predicted that next year the value of Irish service exports would exceed that of manufacturing exports for the first time.

The Tanaiste hailed the quick turnaround of the decision from the time when IDA assistance was first sought.

The speed of delivery had "shot out of the water" the notion that the public service had no flexibility, she said.

HP is the world's largest technology company, and first invested in Ireland in 1975. A year ago it moved its Irish operation from Clonskeagh to a new 200-acre campus in the Liffey Technology Park.

Fianna Fail TD for Kildare North, Aine Brady, welcomed the announcement as "great news for the local people and for local businesses".

She added: "At a time of severe economic downturn and loss of jobs it is encouraging to see that investment can be generated and new jobs can be created."

Integration Minister Conor Lenihan said the availability here of a good number of people fluent in English, French, Polish and Spanish made it easier for HP to invest.

"They chose Ireland for expansion because of access to a highly skilled workforce and I know that HP will not be disappointed," he said.

Martin Murphy, MD of HP Ireland, said the development was an important milestone. "It underpins the importance of our Irish operation as a strategic location of choice for HP globally," he added.