Nestlé has said it is to create 95 jobs and paid work experience positions at its Dublin and Limerick plants.

The placements will be filled over the next three years as part of a Europe-wide initiative by the company to help people under 30 find employment.

The Irish positions will be created at Nestlé’s facilities in Citywest in Dublin and Askeaton in Co Limerick between now and 2016.

Nestlé currently employs 700 people in Ireland.

The new positions will consist of paid work experience, apprenticeships, Nestlé’s graduate programme and full-time jobs.

Nestlé has not given a breakdown of specific recruitment figures.

A spokesperson said the company would not be outlining salary details, but that all the positions would be paid and are not associated with the JobBridge programme.

Country Manager Nestlé Ireland Deirdre O’Donoghue said: "Sadly young people in Ireland are stuck in a catch-22 situation. They can't get a job without experience, but can't get experience without a job.

"Companies need to help young people escape from this trap. As employers we value young people with experience, so we have to provide young people with enough opportunities to gain it."

The announcement is part of Nestlé’s European Youth Employment initiative, which was launched in Athens this morning.