A planned expansion for British firm Dyson could have major benefits for Irish engineers as the company plans a major recruitment drive.

The firm, which celebrates its 21st birthday this year, announced this week it was undertaking a £250 million expansion programme in the UK, beefing up its research and development facilities and creating thousands of new jobs. That will include engineer posts, a portion of which will be filled by graduates.

The company said it would be also be looking to Ireland's universities to help fill those roles as a shortage of engineers in Britain could have benefits for graduates here. Trinity College, University of Limerick and DIT have all been identified as having the type of graduates that are suited for work at Dyson's high-tech facilities.

At present Dyson is seeking to recruit 400 engineers, with 150 places for graduate students. These will be mainly software and electronics engineers who will be able to work on robotic technology, motor engineers and mechanical engineers.

Planning applications for the first new research and development facilities have been submitted,with plans to have it finished and ready to open in early 2016 if it is given the go-ahead.

The high security facility will be tasked with developing new products outside its current line of vacuum cleaners, fans and heaters, and hand dryers, with an estimated £4 million expected to be spent on patents each year.