EDDIE HORKAN, a construction specialist who has launched a company providing software to the construction industry, is set to be paid €45,000 by the Government after he helped to persuade a US environmental company to locate its Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters in Ireland.

Mr Horkan is the first person to bring a new business to Ireland under the Succeed in Ireland programme. Run by Connect Ireland, a company set up by entrepreneur Terry Clune, the scheme aims to encourage international companies who would otherwise not be reached by the State enterprise agencies to invest here.

Connect Ireland was appointed by the Government to run the scheme following a seven-month procurement process.

Any person who successfully introduces a company to Ireland that creates jobs is paid a minimum of €1,500 per job, up to a maximum of 100 jobs.

Under the terms of the programme Mr Horkan will receive 50 per cent of his payment one year after the jobs are created, and 50 per cent after two years.

Connect Ireland will also receive between €1,000-€2,500 by the State for each job created. The fee is payable in two years.

It is understood that Intergeo had plans to locate its EMEA headquarters in Scotland but was persuaded by Connect Ireland to switch to Ireland following an introduction by Mr Horkan.

Connect Ireland, which invested €5 million in the Succeed in Ireland programme, is funding the operational costs of the programme, including over 30 full-time staff, office overheads and promotions worldwide.