MORE JOBS LIKELY IN MICROELECTRONICS - 100 new jobs have been announced this morning at two companies - one in Limerick, one in Dublin. Software development company Misys is forming a new research and development team in Dublin, creating 35 new jobs.
At ON Semiconductor, almost 70 jobs are being created as the firm invests €13m in its design centre in Limerick.
John Blake, a director of ON Semiconductor, is also head if MIDAS, which is the Microelectronics Industry Design Association.
He says his company's Limerick facility is involved in energy-efficient technology for businesses and consumers. The company is looking for electronic engineers.
Mr Blake says around 50 multi-national and indigenous companies - including firms such as Intel, Xilinx and S3 - are operating in the microelectronics sector in Ireland.
He says the sector employs 8,000 people at the moment, but a survey of industry members indicates that another 2,000 jobs could be created - mainly in research and development - over the next five years.
***
NEWS AND CURRENCIES - In a trading statement this morning agribusiness firm Origin says revenue was €315.8m for the three months to the end of October compared with €340.6m in the same period last year.
On the currency markets, the euro is trading at $1.35 and 85.79p sterling.
