By Will Goodbody, Science & Technology Correspondent
@willgoodbody
In 1989, when Intel announced it was to begin manufacturing computer motherboards in Ireland, the then Minister for Industry and Commerce, Dessie O’Malley, made some projections about likely employment arising from the project over the following five to 10 years.
As so often is the case with political projections, they were to prove very wrong. But in a good way. Because in the end the number of jobs created by Intel in that period was more than double what had been expected, as was the level of investment.
It was to prove the shape of things to come, and the start of an extraordinary story within Irish industry and technology. One which ultimately led to the growth of a technological powerhouse on the outskirts of the Co Kildare town of Leixlip. Once a small village, Intel’s presence and growth there, along with other technology businesses like HP that have sprouted up Intel’s shadow, have helped Leixlip blossom into a large, busy town.
But 25 years on, Intel’s impact is now being felt well beyond the local Kildare economy. Today the semi-conductor maker revealed that it has quietly been ploughing unfathomable amounts of cash into the plant over the past three years, in preparation for the production of its next generation of chips. So far it has put $5bn into the plant, creating 5,000 temporary construction jobs. And work is continuing.
It’s the largest single private sector investment in the history of the state. And one which secures the future of the 4,500 permanent jobs at the site at a time of rapid change in the chip market and in Intel itself.
In recognition of the Intel story, the IDA today released an infographic carrying some staggering statistics. In total over the 25 years here, Intel has invested $12.5bn in its Irish operations. It has directly contribued a total of €8.2bn to the economy through capital investment, and contributes €550 million annually through its operational spending here. In addition, it’s involvement in education here is worth €1.3m annually, and it gives €500,000 to community and charitable organisations.
During the three years of this investment, an additional €880m has been contributed to the Irish economy each year, and 7,068 jobs have been supported annually. And the spin off effects have been felt well beyond the 300 acre Leixlip campus, with 756 Irish suppliers supported by Intel since 2007.
These are big numbers with big effects for the local and wider economy. It’s very easy to be cynical about tech multinationals, particularly in the context of the corporation tax debate. But at least Intel can say it actually makes something here, has done so for over two decades and looks set to continue to do so for some time to come.
Like the chips it manufactures, it’s embedded, powerful, and productive. And we’re very fortunate to have it.