Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Mary Harney, has announced the creation of 271 jobs in ten engineering companies situated throughout Ireland, in an investment totalling IR£27.5 million, which has been supported by Enterprise Ireland.

A further IR£1 million has also been provided to a further seven companies under the Research, Technology & Innovation Programme for the purpose of research and development.

Companies benefiting from the investment include Mulmuf Ltd, manufacturers of exhaust systems for a range of industrial products, who currently employs 20 people in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo. Following total investment of almost IR£2million, the company will create 15 additional jobs through increased sales and widening its customer base.

Burnside Autocyl Ltd in County Carlow are leaders in the manufacture of hydraulic cylinders. Enterprise Ireland is supporting its investment of IR£2.4million in training and the establishment of a permanent design and development centre. Over the next three years sales will increase by 40 per cent and 27 new jobs will be created.

New start-up venture IT Image (Ireland) Ltd will manufacture compatible laser and ink jet printer cartridges. The promoters are local entrepreneurs with engineering industry connections and other business interests. Within the next three years, the company will invest over IR£1million with the support of Enterprise Ireland, which will create 30 new jobs.

Commenting on the announcement, the Tánaiste particularly welcomed the broad regional spread of the jobs created. "Sligo and Monaghan in the North West, Wexford, Waterford, Carlow and Cork in the South and South East and Louth in the North East will all benefit as a result of these new jobs," she said.

Gerry Murphy, Director of Enterprise Ireland, added, "The strategic importance of the engineering sector cannot be overstated. It is a dynamic industry with sales and export growth exceeding 25 per cent over the past three years. Irish companies are particularly successful in the manufacture and export of automotive and aerospace components, and agricultural machinery". (CL)