eBay officially opens new European centre

World online marketplace eBay today officially opened a European Customer Support Centre in Blanchardstown in west Dublin.

And PayPal has opened its International Headquarters in the same facility. PayPal, an eBay company, is a leading online payment service used by buyers and sellers around the world both on eBay and off.

Tánaiste Mary Harney performed the opening ceremony.

"Having such a world leading internet company located here confirms our position as one of the leading locations in Europe for the digital business sector," said the Tánaiste.

Meg Whitman, President and CEO, eBay commented: "We’re very happy to be in Ireland. The new PayPal and eBay centre represents our commitment to providing world-class customer service to our European community of users and helping them become even more successful.

"Consequently, the Blanchardstown centre is an important part of our future expansion in Europe."

The eBay and PayPal projects look set to increase employment there from 225 - hired since September of last year - to between 700-800 people by the end of 2005.

New positions will be across a number of disciplines including customer support agents, financial processing agents, management and operations support roles, as well as senior management and director positions.

In its first facility outside the US, PayPal’s Dublin headquarters will host PayPal’s European customer service, fraud prevention, operations as well as the European management team.

From the Dublin facility, PayPal plans to expand its service offering to European countries in the coming months and years.

Glenda Miller, Vice President, PayPal Operations and Customer Support eBay said: "Ireland has a talented and highly educated workforce with extensive experience in the financial and technical service industries.

"We are very pleased with our decision to locate here and the contributions this centre has already made to our international business."

Candidates interested in working at the eBay and PayPal centre can email resumes to [e-mail].

Miller says candidates must possess a strong knowledge of PayPal and eBay, internet navigation skills, demonstrate ability to multi-task, advanced degree of two years or more, previous customer care experience and a personality that enjoys a dynamic fast-paced work environment.