The American computer giant Dell is to create 150 new jobs in Dublin and Limerick.

Around half of the positions will be in its Cloud Research and Development Centre in Dublin which will help to develop cloud-computing technology.

The remainder will be in Limerick, where a solution centre is being established to assist Dell's customers.

Two years ago, Dell axed 1,900 jobs in Limerick when it moved its production plant to Poland.

Dell's Jeff Clarke said today's announcement meant that Limerick continued to play a role in the company's transformation.

He said the decision to axe 1,900 jobs in Limerick in 2009 "had to be made to keep the company competitive on a global basis".