Mags GarganLimerick city priests have welcomed the announcement of the creation of 300 new jobs as a “boost for the city and the people”.
Uber, an online on-demand car service is to hire 150 people by the end of the year and another 150 when the operation is up and running. It has also signed a 10-year lease on the Thomas Street retail centre in the city.
The jobs announcement is one of the biggest for the city centre in more than 25 years, and Fr David Gibson of St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s parish said “anything that brings jobs into the city is welcome”.
“This is one the largest jobs announcement in the last while and it is great for the city.
“We are still reeling from the loss of about 2,000 jobs with Dell closing, so this is badly needed down here,” he told The Irish Catholic.
Fr Chris O’Donnell, Director of Limerick Pastoral Centre, said “anything that is creating jobs locally can’t but be good news. I am happy that people would have access to more jobs and anything that boosts the life of the city and the people is to be welcomed and celebrated.”
Fr Noel Kirwan, Administrator of St John’s Cathedral, also welcomed the announcement as good news and said “it will give the people of Limerick a great boost”.