MORE THAN 120 new jobs have been announced by three companies operating in the fields of technology, medical devices and language services. The jobs, which were created with IDA support, were the first job announcements by the agency this year.

Cook Medical, the largest privately-owned medical device company in the world, is to invest up to €16.5 million over the next four years in research and development activities at its Limerick site.

Bill Doherty, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) vice-president for Cook, said a small number of RD jobs would be created at first, although this would increase. Ireland’s low corporate tax rate, as well as RD tax credits, were key factors behind the IDA-supported investment, he added. The investment will see a significant increase in the level of innovation and research at the Limerick plant.

Established in Limerick in 1996, Cook Medical is one of the major employers in the west, employing more than 630 people in Ireland.

US cloud computing company Workday is to create 100 new jobs in Dublin over the next three years. The company provides software which helps financial services companies to carry out back office tasks, such as human resources, payroll and financial management.

Workday employs more than 950 people worldwide. It already has a small presence in Dublin, but is seeking to increase its EMEA presence from its Irish base.

Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton, said cloud computing was a sector in which Ireland could be a world leader.

“Over the past year we have seen several very significant announcements in this sector and the Government is working hard to ensure that the right policies are in place to ensure that we can take full advantage of that potential.”

Cetra Language solutions, a US language translation company, has also announced it is to establish its European service centre in Limerick, with the creation of 20 jobs.