Plans have been unveiled in Waterford to set up a new visitor centre, manufacturing and retail outlet for Waterford Crystal.
The plans are to redevelop the old ESB offices and surrounding buildings on the Mall in the heart of the city.
Negotiations are nearing a conclusion with the group which owns the Waterford Crystal brand about the operation of the facility. It is hoped around 100 direct jobs could be created at the new premises.
It is estimated that €20m will be invested by Waterford City Council at the site on the Mall and in a scheme to improve the accessibility of the heritage assets in the city's Viking Triangle surrounding Reginald's Tower.
Initial funding for the project has already been secured from the European Regional Development Fund through the Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly's programme for urban development and regeneration projects in designated gateways and hubs.
There are currently only around 30 people still employed at the traditional Waterford Crystal facility at Kilbarry on the outskirts of the city. At one stage in the 1980s, there were close to 3,000 people employed there. Manufacturing ceased in February. The visitor centre remains open.
