A number of major Irish construction firms have visited the Intel plant in Leixlip with growing expectations that the semiconductor giant is set to give the go-ahead for a massive new extension, according to sources.

If given the green light, the new manufacturing facility would involve an investment of up to €1bn and create at least 3,000 jobs.

Intel was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanala for the new 90,000 sq m extension to its existing campus in 2017 but said at the time that no actual investment had been confirmed.

The facility in Co Kildare competes with other major Intel plants in Arizona, Israel and elsewhere to win big new investment in facilities as the company looks to develop each new generation of computer and mobile phone chips. Sources said that a number of Irish contractors were currently engaged with Intel and it was their belief that an announcement about the go-ahead of new investment could happen soon.

Asked to comment, an Intel spokesman issued the following statement: "Current activity forms part of our regular practice to ensure operational readiness and preparedness, and as such we continually take planning and preparatory steps to best position the Ireland site to respond to the future demands of the corporation."

Intel first established an Irish operation in 1989 and has invested close to €14bn.

It now employs almost 5,000 people here having won out on a number of major investment decisions since then.

Sunday Indo Business