Another bite of the Apple as tech giant plans Irish expansion

APPLE is planning to create thousands of new jobs in Ireland, potentially making it the biggest multinational in the country.

The maker of the iPad and iPhone already employs 4,000 people here, but it wants to double the size of its plant in Hollyhill, Cork, in a deal with the IDA and Cork County Council.

Land is being freed up by moving a Traveller site to a group housing scheme and a planning application is expected next year.

Technology expert John Kennedy, of website Silicon Republic, said: ‘It’s absolutely good news. Apple has been in Ireland since 1981, it was only 1976 when they built their first computer, so they have a good relationship here.’

He added: ‘New jobs are a wonderful thing, and I think the next step for them

‘They have a good relationship here’

to do is put an Apple store in Dublin.’

The expansion plan comes after the company recently announced an €850million data centre for Athenry, Co. Galway, which will take advantage of our cool climate and access to wind power to run the plant.

The technology giant sold 61million iPhones in the first three months of this year, a 40 per cent increase on the same period a year ago on the back of the launch of the new iPhone6.

The sales are worth a staggering €35billion, about two-thirds of its total €52billion revenue.

Apple has admitted that a European Commission investigation into its Irish tax operations could result in ‘material’ financial sanctions.

The commission opened a formal investigation nearly year ago, alleging Ireland wrongly gave State-aid to Apple against EU rules. If the EC finds against Apple it is liable to repay up to ten years’ worth of back taxes.