600 new Google jobs makes Irish operation the largest outside US

INTERNET giant Google has confirmed that it will add over 600 jobs to its Irish workforce.

The company said that Ireland will be the largest Google operation outside of its American headquarters.

The jobs will be added to its Dublin base over the next three years in a multi-million euro expansion backed by the IDA. The company has signed a lease for a 100,000 sq ft office block adjacent to its existing premises.

The company - the world's most used internet search engine - said it was looking for third-level graduates for sales and marketing and language positions. Recruitment has already begun. It currently employs around 150 people in Ireland.

Google said basing its European HQ in Ireland had so far proved to be a good decision.

"We have found that the quality of the Irish workforce has enabled us to improve our products and services in a way that has proven to be highly beneficial for our customers, both users and advertisers," it said in a statement.

The additional jobs at Google were welcomed yesterday by Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin, who said it was a vote of confidence in the Irish economy.

"It is a fantastic announcement for Ireland because it demonstrates Ireland as a premier location for digital media businesses," he said. "It reflects the degree to which Ireland remains an attractive location to be and it illustrates the continued competitiveness of our economy."