55 new jobs are to be created at two companies in Tralee, Co Kerry.
Straker - which develops software allowing websites to be run across several languages - is to establish its European headquarters in the town. creating 25 jobs.
Meanwhile, ENERCON, one of world's largest manufacturers of wind turbines, is to set up a technical services operation in Tralee creating 30 jobs over the next two years. Both firms will be located in Tralee Technology Park.
Straker has recently won contracts with the European Commission and a number of large exporters in the US. Its European headquarters will deal with customers across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the US east coast. The new jobs will be in sales, technical support, technical development and administration.
ENERCON is a German wind energy company which manufactures wind turbines and component parts. It employs more than 12,000 workers worldwide. The Tralee-based jobs will be at technical and management levels.
Enterprise, Trade & Innovation Minister Batt O'Keeffe said the announcements as 'important indicators of Ireland's economic recovery and our ability to attract world-leading firms to the south-western region'.
€20m for training targeted at jobless
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education & Skills Mary Coughlan has announced that 6,589 training places will be made available to the unemployed under the Labour Market Activation Fund 2010.
Around €20m has been set aside to provide courses in a range of different locations. The courses will be aimed at the less-skilled, and those formerly employed in declining sectors such as construction, retail and manufacturing. There will be a particular emphasis on the under-35s and the long-term unemployed.
Contracts are being awarded to organisations across the private, not-for-profit and public sectors to support specific training and education programmes for priority groups of the unemployed.
The Tánaiste said three-quarters of available places would be aimed at those with qualifications at or below Leaving Certificate level.
