A TOTAL of 38 jobs are being created in Meath and Dublin with the expansion of two companies.

Printing tool company Wetzel Holding is creating 25 jobs over the next five years in Clonee, Co Meath, at a new €5 million technology production operation as part of the growth of a research and development initiative.

Financial software developer Sophis Group is investing €1.7 million into the company’s research and development facility, Sophis Technology Ireland, and creating 13 engineering jobs at offices in Dublin city centre.

Both investments were supported by IDA Ireland, the inward investment and development agency.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan said the investments were a major boost for the research and development sector.

“They are also a significant vote of confidence in both Irish plants’ abilities,” said Ms Coughlan.

Sophis Group was founded in France in 1985 and employs more than 300 people worldwide. The company has 11 offices and has more than 100 customers globally.

Arnaud Vinciguerra, head of research and development at Sophis Group, said the continued expansion of the Irish operation was part of the group’s strategy to create new financial software and would “significantly increase” the Irish company’s role in the group’s overall business.

Wetzel, which is part of a family-owned business dating back to 1923, has operations in Switzerland, Germany and Poland, and employs 450 people.

The Clonee facility was set up as a manufacturing joint venture with Irish firm JJ Stafford.