Computar company Dell has announced plans to create 150 new jobs in Dublin and Limerick over the next two years.

In Limerick, the company is to set up a solution center which will give its customers advice on its products and technology. This is part of a previous commitment by Dell to invest $1 billion worldwide in new technology and services.

In Dublin, Dell is to set up its first Cloud Research and Development Center to help develop its cloud computing technology. The plans are being backed by IDA Ireland.

Cloud computing is the use of a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or personal computer.

Dell already employs 2,200 staff in Ireland -- 1,000 work in Limerick in service and support and 1,200 work in Cherrywood in Dublin in direct sales and telephone support operations.

Two years ago Dell cut 1,900 jobs in its Limerick plant as its production unit was moved to Poland, leaving 1,000 non-manufacturing jobs behind.

The announcement on Tuesday was made by Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny and Dell's vice chairman of global operations and end user computing solutions Jeff Clarke.
Kenny said Dell's decision would help Ireland to realize its ambition of becoming a center of excellence for cloud computing.

“We are excited about these new facilities and see Ireland as an ideal home for our cloud-based activities,” Clarke said.

ICT Ireland, the group that represents the high-tech sector, also welcomed the announcement, saying Ireland remains a prime location for technology investment. “Today’s announcement of 150 jobs in the cloud-computing space highlights Ireland’s potential to be a global leader in cloud technology," said director Paul Sweetman.