merrion street

Taoiseach Enda Kenny today announced the creation of 92 jobs in the marine sector while on a visit to the national research vessel R.V.

in Dublin. The jobs will be created in the areas of seafood processing and marine research

The Taoiseach also welcomed the expansion of Ireland’s capabilities in the international shipping services sector, which is expected to attract additional jobs to the country.

In the seafood sector a further tranche of investment under the Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) was announced which will see a further €3.5 million in investment this year and generate 64 jobs.

In the marine research area, funding of €2 million has been made available for an International SmartOcean Graduate Programme, created in collaboration between the IRCSET (Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology), the Marine Institute, five Irish universities and key multinationals and SME Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies to provide funding for 28 research posts.

Ireland’s emerging international shipping services sector has continued to grow, underpinned by a number of investments in new and second hand ships over the last twelve months by such companies as Arklow Shipping and the Mainport Group, as well as foreign direct investments by D’Amico and Ardmore shipping.

The Taoiseach said:

Ireland is now recognized as an emerging power in Marine Research and Innovation.This has been achieved through the mapping of the 90% of Irish national territory that lies under the Atlantic, the creation of a quarter of a billion Euros worth of marine research infrastructure, and the fostering of strong linkages between industry and research centres, all of which will support employment opportunities in key areas of potential growth in the marine sector.