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US computer gaming company Electronic Arts to create 200 jobs in Galway; US healthcare products firm Covidien may shed 200 jobs in Tullamore
By Finfacts Team
May 26, 2010 - 9:29:17 AM
US computer gaming company Electronic Arts plans to open a European customer service and operations centre for its BioWare studio, to be based in Galway, Ireland. The new facility will provide BioWare with greater proximity to European players. This investment is being supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland and 200 jobs are planned. Meanwhile, 200 jobs are at risk at US healthcare products firm Covidien, in Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
Welcoming today's Electronic Arts announcement, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said, "EA is the global leader in interactive entertainment and a very important addition to the thriving games industry in Ireland."
"The new Irish location for BioWare will help us get closer to our fans in Europe," said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Senior Vice President, Electronic Arts and Group General Manager, BioWare."Galway gives us the right mix of solid technology infrastructure and international recruitment opportunities as we continue to focus on bringing the highest quality gaming experiences to market."
Barry O'Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland said, "EA joins a vibrant digital media sector and is a key endorsement of the skills and expertise available in Ireland for this sector."
EA will maintain its existing BioWare studio locations in Edmonton, Montreal, Fairfax, Virginia and Austin, Texas. The new location in Galway is expected to be up and running in 2011, starting with roughly 200 staff.
The new Irish company is a wholly owned EA subsidiary. EA has existing European game teams based in Guildford, UK, Stockholm, Sweden, Ingelheim, Germany, Bucharest, Romania and Madrid, Spain.
Covidien
RTÉ News reports that a voluntary redundancy scheme for between 100 and 200 staff members will be announced at the Covidien factory in Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
Union representatives and workers have been called to meetings with management at the plant this afternoon.
Covidien was formerly the Tyco Medical Devices company and has plants in Tullamore and Athlone.
Covidien has 42,000 employees worldwide in more than 60 countries, with products sold in over 140 countries.
Last month Covidien recalled tracheostomy tubes used to help patients on ventilators breathe after receiving reports that three people died while using them.
In 2009, the company had to recall other faulty medical devices.
