Factory outlet centres will open over the next two years in Killarney, Co Kerry, and Rathdowney, Co Laois. The Killarney venture, employing up to 200 people, is being undertaken by Green Properties Ltd. It was granted planning permission in 1995 to build a 10,000 sq metres manufacturers' outlet centre at a former CIE goods yard in the town centre.

The company has submitted a revised floor plan for more than 45 units on which it is awaiting planning permission from Killarney Urban District Council. The town's new bus station will form part of the building. "It is going to open in March 1999," says Mr Maurice Green, development director. "They tend to trade nearly contra-cyclical to shopping centres. People go during the year for top quality, good value goods."

At Rathdowney, Co Laois, CST Ltd, a holding company for two British partners, was granted planning permission on September 30th to alter a former textile factory to a retail/ wholesale warehouse.

Mr Roger Day, a director of Langtree Properties, which together with Waxy Fund Managers is developing the £10 million project, said it would employ 250 people full-time and about 100 people part-time after it opens with 38 outlets late next year. He added that Langtree and Wax Fund were the operators of Galleria, an outlet centre in Hatfield, 20 miles north of London.