Computing Giant Seagate has announced the creation of 85 jobs as part of a £60 million investment at it's Springtown plant. Ten research posts will be established at Queen's University Belfast bringing total job creation to 95.

The announcement was made at the Springtown site, attended by the Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and the CEO of Seagate Technology Steve Luczo. The Minister said this investment could easily have gone elsewhere within Seagate, indicating that a strong case was made by local management and supported by Invest NI.

Belfast News Editorial

It is not such a long time ago that Seagate gained Invest NI backing to open two factories in Londonderry, nor such a long time ago since they closed an entire factory with the loss of almost 1.000 jobs.

Whilst job creation should always be welcomed, sometimes the substance of the news story can be lost by the 'Headline Spin'. It is true the Seagate is investing £60 million pounds, but for the most part this is Seagate, investing in Seagate.

At a time when Northern Ireland has suffered from tough economic conditions, job losses and wider effects of a recession, one can understand a desire to seek out investment and job creation. Should we be giving a vast amount of money to a company who previously obtained Invest NI help and then closed an entire factory

You decide, is it reasonable to:

Give £12.7 Million - To Create 95 Jobs

£133,684 pounds per head

...or is it a false economy?