Up to 800 Irish jobs could be generated through the government's referral programme by this December, the Irish Examiner has reported.

The first company brought to Ireland through the ConnectIreland programme was the US firm Intergeo Services, which will create 30 engineering jobs in Carlow.

The local civil engineer which referred the company here will receive a payment of €45,000.

The initiative gets Irish people to refer foreign companies' international expansion projects here and gives them a payment in return.

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For every new job created, the person who facilitated the introduction will receive at least €1,500 per job, up to a maximum of 100 jobs.

ConnectIreland has been in contact with 200 companies via the referral marketing programme and is examining the viability of 10- to 12 possible investment projects, with decisions expected by year end.

Chairman Terry Clune said: "The ConnectIreland programme clearly demonstrates that Ireland is still seen as an attractive investment location. We are in talks with companies who are now actively considering locating operations in Ireland as a direct result of introductions made via our referral marketing programme."

IDA appointed ConnectIreland to deliver the Succeed in Ireland initiative as part of the Government's action plan for jobs.

(NE)