Dublin firm to create 90 jobs

Dublin-based firm Sierra Support Services said it will create up to 90 jobs after it secured a €60 million contract with Bord Gáis Energy.

The company said the three-year deal would see it become the sole services provider associated with the installation, maintenance and testing of domestic boilers to the energy company, creating a new division that would initially employ 20 new full-time staff, and involve the transfer a number of sub-contracted staff.

Sierra said it would also create a further 70 building services jobs over the next 12 months.

The contract could also be extended for two years, Sierra said, with a potential total value to the company of €100 million.

The company also said it would extend 21 other products to the market and plans to expand into Northern Ireland.

"This is a significant contract for Sierra and an important step in our strategy for growth," said Sierra Support Services managing director TJ Malone.

"In addition, this contract provides us with a platform to expand our proposition into the North of Ireland which is an untapped market for us and provides us with additional growth potential.”

Meanwhile, the nanoscience research centre Crann said today it had received funding of €15.5 million to lead two European research projects.

Seventeen research and development roles will be created as a result of the projects. Twelve roles will come as part of a project to develop technology to enable the early and rapid diagnosis of cancer. The remaining five will be created as part of a collaboration with Intel, with a European consortium to help develop the next generation of electronic chip.

"Investment in building Ireland's R&D capability over the past ten years is delivering returns by attracting industry and academic based funding into Ireland and creating new jobs," said Crann director Professor John Boland.

"Ireland is now globally recognised for its expertise in the area of nanoscience, as evidenced by the large amounts of non-exchequer funding we are winning through competitive international research projects. Research is a global competition and we need to continue to develop our knowledge base and expertise to make Ireland a true innovation centre."