Irish representatives are in discussions with three of the world’s leading software firms about the possibility of locating here, according to a well-placed industry source familiar with the talks.
There are ongoing talks with Intuit, Infor and CA Technologies about the possibility of setting up operations in Ireland, the Irish Independent has learned.
It is understood that while there remains some distance to go before formal agreements are signed, talks with all three companies have been progressing well and there is a level of optimism that agreements can be reached.
It is believed that one or more of the companies may seek to establish a “test base” in Ireland with around 50 employees before wider expansion plans are undertaken.
Silicon Valley software giant Intuit is a major provider of financial solutions to small businesses and the accounting industry. Latest company filings showed revenues of €4.4bn for last year.
Intuit currently has around 8,000 employees worldwide, with the company’s only other operation within the eurozone currently in Paris.
New York-based Infor provides cloud software to large businesses and multinationals across the globe. It works with around 90,000 organisations in 200 countries worldwide and had revenues of €2.5bn last year.
Infor currently runs a small operation in Sandyford in Dublin with 14 employees. It is believed the ongoing talks relate to a considerable ramping up of operations it has here.
CA Technologies is a financial solutions company whose revenues exceeded €3.75bn in 2016. It has earmarked $300-500m for strategic investments.
The prospective arrivals could provide hundreds of jobs in the tech sector at a crucial moment for foreign direct investment in Ireland.
IDA boss Martin Shanahan told the Irish Independent late last week that attracting investment was “much more challenging” in the context of widespread geopolitical uncertainty.
But he insisted that Ireland remains an attractive prospect for inward investment and emphasised that the IDA would continue its efforts to bring companies here.
He said the upcoming St Patrick’s Day celebrations would provide a key opportunity for Irish trade delegations to reinforce Ireland’s position as an attractive place for US firms to do business.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny hinted at the prospect of a major new arrival in the tech sector when addressing staff at Microsoft Ireland last week. “We have nine of the top 10 software companies here.
“We’re about to land the 10th one I think,” he said.
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