Cork TD and Fine Gael Innovation Spokesperson Deirdre Clune described the announcement of 300 jobs in Abtran as a positive development for Cork.

The announcement from Abtran that it will invest €3.5 million in research and development at its offices at Curraheen Road and the Model Farm Road which will have the potential to create 300 new jobs is a positive development for the Cork area.

The jobs that Abtran will create in Cork will be based on investment in business services one of the areas that it is vital that we focus on if we are to lift Ireland out of the current economic problems we face as a country.

Cork has been badly hit over the last two years with unemployment in the county jumping from 19,177 in March 2008 to 44,702 in March 2010. The announcement of 300 jobs in Cork is a step in the right direction.