Big Blue buys Emerald Isle software firm

IBM Corp. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cúram Software Ltd. of Dublin.

The goal is to better help governments improve the efficiency, effectiveness and accessibility of social programs, according to a Dec. 5 IBM news release.

Financial terms of the deal were not released.

Cúram Software is used in more than 80 government agency projects worldwide to provide social services to citizens, deliver services more effectively, and continuously monitor progress. The software specifically is used by health and human services, workforce services and social security organizations.

Cúram, which means “care and protection” in Gaelic, was founded in 1990.

Since 1999, IBM and Cúram have collaborated on federal, state, local, and provincial-level social program solutions, IBM said in its announcement.

IBM Corp., of Armonk, N.Y., ranks No. 21 on Washington Technology’s 2011 Top 100 list of the largest federal government contractors.