Parcel delivery company DPD is to create 100 new jobs for drivers.
The firm says its volumes have massively increased due to COVID-19, with deliveries of electrical goods up 800%, pet food up 300% and sports equipment up 225%.
Chief executive Des Travers said deliveries are continuing to increase week-on-week, as more and more consumers turn to the internet to shop.
"Parcel volumes have exceeded those handled on Black Friday weekend 2019, with the company experiencing its busiest parcel volume throughput ever through its Athlone Central Sortation hub on Tuesday.
"In the last month we have increased the number of drivers in the network by 115 to 1,100.
DPD Ireland chief executive Des Travers (centre) with driver’s Francis Bradley and Tom Searle. Photo by: DPD Ireland"However, that’s not enough, we need more".
He said the company was looking to hire 100 additional drivers over the age of 25, with previous delivery experience and a full licence.
He added: "The expansion in 2018 and subsequent deployment of additional chutes in Q4 last year means that we can handle the increased volume easily."
DPD Ireland is part of DPDgroup - the second largest international parcel delivery network in Europe.
It employs more than 78,000 people and has a network of over 42,000 local pickup points.
Overall, the group delivers 1.3 billion parcels to over 230 countries each day through the DPD, Chronopost, SEUR and BRT brands.
