Accenture to Create 150 Jobs in Ireland

DUBLIN; April 23, 2003 Accenture, Ireland’s leading management consulting and technology services company, today announced plans to create an additional 150 jobs in Ireland before the end of this year.

The new jobs will be concentrated in Accenture’s operations in Dublin, including the company’s European Service Centre. Accenture currently employs more than 800 people in Ireland.

The announcement coincides with a recent visit to Chicago by An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Harney, during which she met with senior executives of Accenture.

“We believe Accenture’s decision to further expand its Irish operations reinforces our attractiveness as a key location for major high quality organisations,” Ms. Harney said. “In the face of continued economic global uncertainty, companies must make sound and pragmatic decisions when it comes to growing their businesses. Clearly, over the last number of months, many companies including Accenture have taken the decision that Ireland is a location where they see potential for growth.”

Accenture said the new jobs are being created in response to increased demand for the company’s services, and will cover a broad range of areas, including software development, web services, business process, IT outsourcing and application management.

“These new positions will further enhance Accenture’s ability to deliver the highest quality of services and solutions to our clients,” said Leo Blennerhassett, Accenture country managing director for Ireland. "Accenture is pleased to continue to be a significant contributor to Ireland’s economic growth and future success.”

The new jobs in the European Service Centre reflect the extension of existing finance, administrative and IT support functions, as well as expansion into new areas, including management of Accenture’s global procurement function. The Dublin facility opened in 2000, consolidating a wide range of functions previously performed at locations across Europe.

About Accenture
Accenture is the world’s leading management consulting and technology services company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them realize their visions and create tangible value. With deep industry expertise, broad global resources and proven experience in consulting and outsourcing, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills, alliances and technologies. With more than 75,000 people in 47 countries, the company generated net revenues of $11.6 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

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Noel McLoughlin

+353 1 646 2085

noel.h.mcloughlin@accenture.com