One thousand additional jobs will be available in Ireland due to the massive expansion announced by tech giant Apple in its Hollyhill plant in Cork.
Apple had been based in Cork since 1980 and currently has over 5,000 employees. According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, a new building will be constructed at the Hollyhill site due to a 25 per cent increase in workforce in just 12 months.
Cook met with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Dublin before proceeding to Trinity College Dublin where he will be receiving a Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage from the University Philosophical Society.
During his speech, Cook said, "Apple has been here in Ireland in good times and been here through challenging times," he said. "We'don't just see ourselves as located in Ireland, we see ourselves as rooted here."
He also said that the office based in Cork is one of the most diverse, employing people coming from more than 80 different countries.
"As a company we are better because of our diversity, we are better because of our differences," Cook said.
"Apple will always be proud to call Ireland home," he added.
Apple also announced that they will be providing a €1 million Ocean Energy Industry Fund in support to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in researching and developing offshore energy technology, particularly wave energy. They are aiming to find new ways in capturing wave energy to be converted to renewable electricity.
Mr. Kenny said that Apple's big leap will be an economic boost for both Cork and Ireland.
"The Government's priority is to keep the recovery going by creating a positive environment for investment and jobs," he said.
"Apple's plans for new facilities at their Cork campus that can house a further 1,000 jobs is a very welcome boost of confidence in Cork and the south west region."
"It is also a welcome sign of broadening regional recovery. These new jobs come on top of 1,000 additional jobs already created at Apple in the past 12 months, which brought the workforce in Ireland to over 5,000 in 2015."
Cork not only specializes in manufacture but has Apple's largest sales and service support network outside of California.
