A Dublin-based computer firm has set up a research and development facility in Galway because of a decision by an employee to relocate to the west. The FMS software company, which services life assurance groups, banks and other companies, has decided to set up a Galway base in response to the labour skills shortage in Dublin. "Recently one of our employees decided to return home to the west," said Mr Jim Maher, the managing director of FMS. "Rather than lose him, we decided not only to follow him but to establish a research-and-development facility in Galway with the aim of recruiting additional software people."
FMS is hoping to employ an extra 60 people, some of them in Galway, and to boost its overall payroll to 130. Mr Maher said third-level education facilities in Galway were another major incentive in attracting the firm to the city. FMS is in the process of finding a suitable premises in the city and hopes to be fully operational in Galway by early autumn. The company recently announced a link-up with Travellers Life and Annuity, one of the best-known insurance providers in the US.
"The skills issue is such that we expect other companies to follow this lead in moving to the regions," said Mr Maher. "It is also in line with the recent IDA Ireland policy of changing to deliver more jobs in the region."