Parcel delivery company DPD Ireland has announced plans to expand its operations nationwide and will create 700 new jobs before the end of the year.
DPD said that up to 150 positions will be based in the company's headquarters in Athlone and the remaining 550 new jobs for drivers and operational personnel will be based at its 36 regional depots nationwide.
DPD Ireland - the country's largest parcel delivery company - is also investing €1m in its automation and routing systems in its central hub and sorting facility in Athlone.
The company is also investing another €1m in additional driver scanner technology to support the expected increase in parcel volumes over the Christmas period.