The Irish jobs market received a much-needed boost this weekend when Apple confirmed that is will create 500 new positions at its European Headquarters in Cork.

The computer giant plans to construct a new three-storey building on its site in Cork that will house the employees.

Over the next year-and-a-half, the company will add 500 more jobs to increase the total employee count to 3,300.

Alan Hely, Apple's senior director for Corporate Communications, told RTE that he was “thrilled” to announce the news.

"The announcement that Apple, one of the world's leading companies is expanding its operations in Ireland and creating 500 new jobs, is a huge boost for the country,” said Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton, according to the Irish Times.

“It is a great testament to the company's workforce, a great vote of confidence in the future of our economy, and it shows what is possible for Ireland at the heart of a stable Europe."

Apple has been in Cork, its first international location, since 1980. The Apple office in Cork has just come through a purple patch, with revenue from the markets it serves up 55% in the fourth quarter of 2011.