Dell Computer is on course to meet its target of employing a further 3,000 people in Ireland after releasing record first-quarter results for the seventeenth consecutive quarter. Dell's total revenue increased 52 per cent to more than $3.9 billion (£2.76 billion) for the period to May 3rd.

The European manufacturing base in Limerick generated revenues of more than $1 billion, a 62 per cent increase on the same period the previous year. Dell has now replaced Hewlett-Packard as the third-ranked computer systems' company in Europe.

Dell announced in February that it would take on 3,000 new employees over the next five years, in addition to the 2,900 already employed in Ireland. More than 400 people have already been recruited at the Limerick and Bray facilities. In April, manufacturing started at the old AST plant in Limerick, a 300,000 sq ft facility. Building is also about to begin on a third plant.

Announcing the results in Limerick, Mr Jan Gesmar-Larsen, president of Dell Europe, Middle East and Africa said: "We have a strong relationship with the Irish community and we would not introduce extra manufacturing facilities here if it weren't for the workforce or the infrastructure. For many reasons, Ireland suits our business model perfectly."