Martin welcomes Apple jobs announcement

Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central, Micheál Martin, has welcomed the announcement that Apple will create 500 new jobs at its European headquarters in Cork.

Deputy Martin commented: “The news that Apple is to create 500 more jobs at its plant in Hollyhill to bring the workforce up to over 3,000 is very welcome. It continues the great relationship that Apple has with Cork since it came here 30 years ago.

“As the global Apple brand continues to expand, the Hollyhill base will be at the forefront of its European operations and increasingly its Middle Eastern, Indian and African ventures. This announcement hasn’t come about by accident and there are many who will claim credit for it.

“The City and County managers must be commended on their hard work in providing the right conditions for the expansion as well as the IDA. Those who deserve most credit are the workforce and management of Apple in Cork who have demonstrated to their colleagues throughout the Apple organisation the quality, consistency and success of the company’s Irish operations.

“Another encouraging aspect of the announcement is that fact the positions available are likely to be in the high end sectors of technical support and online services, which provides more outlets for our highly skilled graduates. Having visited Apple on many occasions both here and in the states, I have seen first-hand the high regard in which the Irish workforce and the Irish operation is held. Cork and the southern region is increasingly been seen as a hub for the ICT sector and with recent jobs announcements in companies like VM Ware, it shows the knowledge economy is something that continues to prosper here.

“It is great news for the people of Cork and is further evidence that Ireland continues to remain a competitive place in which to do business.”