US communications technology company Cisco Systems is to establish a global research and development centre in Galway with the creation of 50 new jobs in its initial phase.
It is anticipated to grow this number to 200 jobs over the next three years with a number of the posts requiring Masters and PhD qualifications.
The new centre will focus on communications technologies to reduce what the company describes as 'communications chaos that disrupts business processes and slows decision making'.
Cisco already employs 66 people in Dublin in sales and support operations. Today's announcement comes with the support of IDA Ireland.
The company says its new Galway centre will be an integral part of its future worldwide R&D activities.
Cisco Chief Development Officer Charles Giancarlo said the move was part of a broader strategy to expand investment in development around the world.
'We view Ireland as an excellent area to establish our new R&D facility in the area of Unified Communications, both because of the positive business climate and because of the established talent pool,' he said.
