Cisco Systems will create 115 new R&D jobs for its Galway Research and Development facility over the next two years as part of a €26m investment.
Earlier reports suggested it would create 100 new jobs for this Oranmore plant in Galway which originally opened in 2007. Recruitment began in the latter half of 2011 and is continuing in multiple product and technology roles.
The new projects will expand this Galway R&D centre into new business areas in communication and collaboration software technology, which includes cloud-enabled applications, virtualisation and real-time web communications.
“Cisco’s R&D operation in Ireland is developing industry-leading products for global markets,” said Barry O’Sullivan, senior vice-president for Cisco’s global collaboration business.
“Access to diverse, top-class engineering talent and support from IDA Ireland has helped build a successful, innovative and global development capability over the last five years.
“The projects announced today, in collaboration software and virtualisation, are in line with Cisco’s strategic product and market priorities and will further increase the scale of the Irish operation in terms of both engineering capability and diversified technologies.
“Since approval of this project we have already brought significant talent on board and are actively seeking to fill new software engineering, product management and user experience positions,” said O’Sullivan.
The Irish Government is supporting the investment through IDA Ireland.
“This jobs announcement by Cisco is most welcome news for Ireland and the West region,” said Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
“The decision by Cisco to expand its research and development capabilities here in Galway demonstrates the value of economic stability and Ireland’s position in Europe when it comes to our ability to attract the overseas operations of world-leading multinational companies, such as Cisco.
“Today’s announcement displays Cisco’s continued commitment to its Irish operations and staff. I would like to offer Cisco every success with this expansion and offer the continued support of the Irish Government into the future,” Kenny said.