UPC is to open a new European IT competency centre in Limerick with the creation of 12 new jobs.

The positions are for skilled professionals including IT managers, designers and technical support staff, who will be responsible for developing new software and systems to support the company’s operations at their national customer service centre located in the Limerick Enterprise Development Park.

The Liberty Global owned broadband and communications company currently employs 800 people in Ireland, half of whom are based in Limerick.

The 12 new IT jobs follow last week’s announcement that the company will be offering 30 full-time positions to participants in the Jobseekers Support Programme operated by CCMA Skillnet, which facilitates candidates from non-technical backgrounds to change careers.

Welcoming today's news, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said the Government had seen an increase of more than 11,000 in the number of people at work in the IT sector since coming to office in 2011.

“This is great news for Limerick, the mid west region and for Ireland in general. UPC is not only a very significant employer and investor, they are significant in providing the infrastructural base for modern industry,” he said.

UPC Ireland vice president Henry Minogue said the decision by UPC to locate the European IT competency centre in Limeric reinforces the company’s commitment to Ireland.

“It demonstrates our determination to grow our IT team with local expertise in a hub which will support our Irish operations and our European counterparts,” he said.

Head of ICT at IDA Ireland Leo Clancy said Ireland was continuing to develop its reputation as a "solid platform for foreign direct investment".

“Digital technology is playing a growing role in securing economic growth, improving productivity in our businesses and creating new jobs in Ireland,” he said.