MORE THAN 500 jobs will be created across Ireland in healthcare and startup companies after two major announcements in the last 24 hours.

Jobs minister Richard Bruton today announced that 445 new positions are projected in 24 startup firms backed by the government’s Enterprise Ireland scheme. The companies, which are earmarked as “high potential” by the enterprise body, include technology, hygiene, and financial analysis outfits and are almost all focused on the export market.

Among them are AskMoby.com, which develops weather applications for websites and smartphones (10 jobs); Reflex Plastics, which recycles agricultural plastics for the manufacture of plastic bags (34 jobs); and Handle Hygiene, which sells products to automatically disinfect bathroom door handles (13 jobs).

Minister Bruton said the jobs would help create “an indigenous engine of economic growth” for Ireland. “We must crucially ensure that more high potential small businesses can establish and expand here,” he said. “Government actions are directed towards ensuring that more companies like
these can establish and grow and provide the basis for Ireland’s economic recovery.”

No date was given as to exactly when the jobs would be rolled out, but the companies are understood to have committed to creating the positions within the next three years.

Meanwhile, a community nursing facility in Cork separately announced it would recruit 100 staff by early next year. Mowlam Healthcare will be operating the centre when it opens in the next four months, reports the Irish Independent. Most of the positions will be for healthcare professionals but there will also be a need for staff in catering, administration and assistant roles.

The dual announcements come after online payments firm PayPal yesterday said it will create 200 jobs at its operation in Blanchardstown, west Dublin.

Read more: PayPal creates 200 jobs in Dublin >