Cisco confirms graduates boost - graduate jobs

Telecommunications giant Cisco has revealed that it plans to take on an increasing number of graduates in Ireland, as it confirmed plans to expand its operations in the country.

Barry O'Sullivan, head of Cisco's Irish business, said the firm took on 20 graduates in Ireland last year and is looking to take on even more in 2012, adding that the country is "delivering exactly what it was expected to do and more".

Mr O'Sullivan, who also confirmed that a research and development expansion by the firm is set to go ahead, added: "The quality of engineering graduates is improving, with more people choosing engineering as a career than four or five years ago."

Cisco opened a site in Furbo, Co Galway in 2007. It employs 180 people as well as a further 100 in Dublin.

The firm's European president Chris Dedicoat said: "We've found Ireland to be very productive in term of capability. We've found it very beneficial to research and development: the quality of products, the quality of engineers, the ability to collaborate on a global basis."

Copyright Press Association 2012