Brian Cowen has described the decision by the Intel Corporation to invest $500 million at its Leixlip facility as a "great vote of confidence in both the Republic of Ireland's economy and in the quality of its Irish workforce".

According to the Taoiseach, the investment will create 850 construction jobs and 200 highly skilled ongoing jobs in Leixlip.

"This significant investment will support 850 construction jobs as well as 200 new high-skilled employees in Ireland.

"I believe this is a watershed moment in Intel's relationship with Ireland. It is a great vote of confidence, from one of the world's leading technology companies, in both the Irish economy and the quality of Intel's Irish workforce.

Intel's investment demonstrates that Ireland remains a competitive location for advanced manufacturing.

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"This is a cornerstone of the Smart Economy strategy which recognises that manufacturing will play a fundamental part in our economic future, with an increasing emphasis on securing competitive advantage through R&D, innovation and product design.

"Intel's continued investment in its Irish operation is a major contribution to securing Ireland's image as a global innovation hub," he said.

"The Government remains committed to providing a stable and competitive location for foreign direct investment, while also investing in R&D and innovation, thereby ensuring that major international companies like Intel continue to create jobs in Ireland."

Meanwhile, the IT workers of the future have been getting a boost with the Education Minister Mary Coughlan among a number of Government ministers who attended the BT Young Scientist & Technology exhibition, which this year has received a record-breaking entry level.

She said that 3,943 students from across Ireland entered the exhibition, with a total of 1,735 projects. According to BT, this is the highest level of entry in the 47 years the exhibition has been running with 520 projects selected to take part in the finals.

Minister Coughlan described the exhibition as "hugely important" and spoke of the enthusiasm of the students she had met.

"Young people are so interested and enthusiastic here about showing their hard work. We're trying to encourage our young people into the sciences much more. I feel that competitions like this really enthuse young people and get them thinking," she said.

(BMcC/GK)