Financial services group Zurich is to make 240 jobs available in Ireland, bringing the company's total workforce across the country to 1,100.

Minister for enterprise, trade and innovation Batt O'Keeffe said 120 jobs have already been secured in Wexford and the rest will be created in Dublin - specifically at the Irish Financial Services Center and in Blackrock.

According to Markus Hongler, chief executive of Zurich Insurance and chairman of Zurich Life Assurance, Ireland was chosen for new business operations because of its long-standing membership of the European Union and the euro, as well as its highly skilled and educated workforce.

"These factors continue to underpin our success and drive our business in Ireland and across Europe," he added.

The positions will be filled by the end of the year, Mr O'Keeffe confirmed.

Last week, he announced that an online company was creating 50 jobs in Drogheda, County Louth. MFG.com is a sourcing marketplace for the manufacturing industry.

Posted by Lee Thrace