Dundrum Town Centre has announced an expansion plan that will create 444 new jobs.

Details of the 444 positions, due to come into effect by November, were unveiled as part the on-going development at the Dublin centre.

The new positions will be created with the opening of Pembroke District and Dundrum South, two new retail and leisure areas within the centre.

Dundrum South, which saw the arrival of the RSA Head Office and the relocation of an additional 600 employees to Dundrum in June, is located on Sandyford Road and will welcome tenants such as Snow & Rock, Hughes and Hughes and Elvery Sports to the Centre, amongst others.

Pembroke District, located off Town Square will be home to the world famous Hamleys Toy Store and Gant, as well as new additions to the Centre's diverse food offering including The Counter, Aya, Nandos, Ananda, Poppies and Roly Saul.

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Don Nugent, Dundrum Town Centre Director, said: "Dundrum Town Centre continues to attract new tenants and Irish retail firsts to the centre, which highlights retailers' confidence in the Irish retail market.

"It is this same assurance that has led to the creation of a further 444 jobs, which will be coming into effect over the coming weeks."

An Tánaiste Mary Coughlan welcomed the announcement.

"The last few years have seen rapid sales growth in the retail sector. In real terms, the volume of retail sales grew by almost 6 per cent per year between 2005 and 2007, a rate of growth without parallel in any other economy in the euro area.

"While the period ahead will be challenging, today's announcement of 444 jobs reflects confidence in the continued growth in this important sector," added Ms Coughlan.

Dundrum Town Centre opened its doors in March 2005 with 15 first time retailers in Ireland including Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser, H&M and Massimo Dutti.

The latest addition of 14 retailers sees a further introduction of nine retail-firsts to Ireland.

Dundrum Town Centre has won over 25 international and national awards including the Global RLI International Shopping Centre 2006 and the ICSC European Shopping Centre 2007.

(PR/JM)