Evo, a large North American card processor entered the market here just two years ago with five employees. That number has since grown to 70 and today they’ve announced they’re hiring another 50 people this year principally in sales, marketing and administration roles. They’re also officially opening their new HQ in Dun Laoghaire.

The company has partnered with Bank of Ireland, which had previous links with another major card processor in the Irish market, Evalon, to supply credit and debit card processing services, including terminals to businesses, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors.

The partnership is called BAIPO and its growth over the past two years has reflected the strong economic recovery generally, but also the surge in the use of debit cards, including contactless payments.

Total spend in that market rose by 20% here last year to more than €30bn.

Speaking at the announcement today, Mr Brian Cleary, Managing Director of BOI Payment Acceptance Ireland and UK said: "We’re delighted to announce our additional investment and expansion in Ireland today. We’ve experienced rapid growth here over the past two years, driven mostly by the increasing use of card payments by Irish consumers, the adoption of new card payment technologies by Irish businesses to meet that demand, and a growing Irish economy.

"Equally, our strategic partnership with Bank of Ireland means we continue to deliver for more Irish businesses and consumers."