Big Fish Games, the category leader in premium casual games with more than 2500 unique titles and 1.5 billion downloads, is continuing to enhance and expand its cloud gaming research and development initiative at its Cork, Ireland operation.

Webroot, a leader in delivering Internet security as a service, has opened its new international headquarters in George’s Quay Plaza. The company has expanded its professional sales, support and financial services teams in recent months, successfully recruiting more than a dozen professionals to manage a growing customer and partner base across Europe.

Technology company Blueface has announced an investment of €1 million in Dublin, which will lead to the creation of 12 jobs.

The investment, which is being part-funded by Enterprise Ireland’s R&D Fund, will enhance the company’s next generation IP telephony and services platform and drive export activity.

Dublin-based Blueface offers voice-over-internet protocol (Voip) products. Founded in 1994, it focuses generally on the small to medium-sized enterprise market.

Chief executive Alan Foy said the investment will underpin the company’s growth in Ireland and abroad. “Our new R&D programme will assist us to enhance our product portfolio, create sustainable jobs and to continue to generate and develop innovative telephony solutions for our customer base in Ireland and the UK.”

Enterprise Ireland classifies Blueface as a “scaling client”, meaning it is has particular potential for rapid and steady growth to quickly achieve international scale.

Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton, said Blueface exemplifies the kind of innovation-based growth the government is targeting. “Initiatives such as this one by Blueface are exactly what is required if we are to achieve the levels of growth and employment that is needed to rebuild the economy and get jobs growing again.”

THREE HUNDRED jobs have been created in expansions by pharmaceutical giant Allergan and leading IT consultancy firm Accenture.

US multinational Allergan is to take on 200 staff in a €274m investment at the plant to meet growing demand for its Botox product in treatment of migraines and incontinence. Allergan has purchased the technology park next to its Westport facility to allow for the expansion. Allergan, which employs 900 people in Ireland, will take on 200 new staff at the Westport site over the next four years. It is estimated another 250 jobs will be created indirectly locally during the construction period.

 Accenture is to hire 100 graduates and experienced specialists as it expands operations helping clients cut costs, increase efficiencies and support growth nationwide. Mark Ryan, country managing director, Accenture in Ireland, said clients are looking to the company to reduce their costs and improve efficiencies. “We offer unparalleled opportunities in an environment that supports the professional growth of our employees and allows them to work on leading edge business and technology issues facing our clients,” he said. “For these new positions, we are seeking highly motivated and talented individuals passionate about and skilled in technology.”  Accenture already employs more than 1,000 people in Ireland and provides management consultancy, technology services and outsourcing to the private and public sector including Microsoft, Kerry Group and the Revenue Commissioners.