Apple announce 1000 jobs for Cork

Apple is to create 1,000 new jobs at its European headquarters on the northside of Cork city.

Apple announce 1000 jobs for Cork

By Peter O'Dwyer

Apple is to create 1,000 new jobs at its European headquarters on the northside of Cork city.

The announcement was made this morning as Apple chief executive, Tim Cook arrived in Ireland.

Mr Cook met with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Dublin before addressing students in Trinity College.

The roles are to be created as part of an expansion at its base in Hollyhill, Co Cork.

“For any company to be located at the same campus for over 30 years is a remarkable thing – that Apple continues to expand at this rate in 2015 is truly exceptional," IDA chief executive, Martin Shanahan said.

"Ever since Apple was first involved in manufacturing in Cork in 1980, the Irish site has continued to evolve and provide an excellent base to support the company's growth and development.

“The scale of the operation in Hollyhill is vast, with manufacturing, supply chain, AppleCare and shared services operations taking place within one campus. Today’s news follows an announcement by Apple in February of this year where they revealed plans to put an €850m data centre in Athenry.”

CEO Tim Cook is expected at the European headquarters in Hollyhill to make the major announcement with an as-yet unnamed special musical guest.

The head of the tech giant is in Dublin this morning to receive a Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage from the Phil Soc at Trinity College.

Last month, Cork County Council approved the rezoning of land adjacent to its existing facility.

Apple employs 4,000 staff at its European headquarters across a range of functions including manufacturing, customer care and support, distribution and sales.

“Apple's plans for new facilities at their Cork campus that can house a further 1,000 jobs is a very welcome boost of confidence in Cork and the South West region. It is also a welcome sign of broadening regional recovery, said Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

“These new jobs come on top of 1,000 additional jobs already created at Apple in the past 12 months, which brought the workforce in Ireland to over 5,000 in 2015. This continued expansion by the company is testament to the quality of the talent pool, the infrastructure and the business environment that this country has to offer and further cements Apple as one of the leading employers in Ireland.”

The Hollyhill facility was opened in November 1980 by then Apple vice-president, Steve Jobs.

Minister Simon Coveney TD has strongly welcomed today’s significant announcement that Apple will be expanding its campus in Hollyhill, and adding a new building that will provide new office space for 1,000 additional employees by mid-2017.

“This is another massive endorsement of Cork by Apple," he said.

“When the largest company in the world supporting the best known brand on the planet decides to significantly increase their footprint and investment in Cork it is a signal of confidence and an endorsement in the Irish economy and Cork city as a great place to build an international business.

“This is an announcement that will be noticed in boardrooms across the world and puts Cork on the map internationally as a place to invest and create employment. Apple’s commitment to Cork has been fantastic and this announcement is a further commitment to a city that is on the move in a positive and exciting way. This will be a signal to other international brands and companies that Cork is a location that can compete and provide a platform for business growth.”

The Tánaiste Joan Burton also welcomed the expansion by Apple, saying it was a vote of confidence for the country.

“I think it’s a great announcement and a vote of confidence in Cork and in Ireland and it indicates that the recovery in Ireland is a jobs rich recovery which is what we have wanted from day one,” she said.

The Junior Minister for Trade, Labour's Sean Sherlock, said Apple's expansion with a new site in Cork could be the building block for other jobs in the city.

“That really shows that Apple is clearly invested in the long-term future of operations in Cork and I think it also sends a signal to the wider world that in terms of foreign direct investment into Ireland that Cork is actually now a significant reference site," he said.

Apple has also announced that it is partnering with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to support research in offshore energy technology and is establishing a €1m Ocean Energy Industry Fund.

This will support innovative new ways of capturing wave energy and converting it to renewable electricity in support of their global commitment to powering all facilities with renewable energy.

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