Intel Ireland's parent company - the giant US based Intel microprocesser business is a quoted company trading on the NASDAQ exchange. Intel decided in 1989 to build its European operations in Lexlip, County Kildare - it formed Intel Ireland to be the holding company. The manufacturing plant was operational by 1990. To base its European operations in Ireland, Intel received over IREŁ87m in grants from IDA Ireland. The plant is seen as a flagship enterprise in Ireland - symbolising the end of the chronic unemployment of the 1980s and the beginning of the Celtic Tiger boom of the 1990's.
Intel Ireland employs over 5,000 high skilled employees and its pay packets alone have contributed millions to the Irish economy, its profits which are taxed at 12.5% have also contributed millions to the Irish economy. Construction of the Fab 4 manufacturing plant in the 2000's has injected millions into the Irish economy. In all, Intels investment in Ireland has been several billion euros - considering Ireland's GDP was about $100bn in 2002, Intels investment is worth a huge amount to Ireland.
Along with the money, Intel has benifited Ireland in other ways. It has helped the IDA attract other US multinational companies to Ireland such as Google, Dell, and eBay.