Tech jobs boost for Dublin and Kerry

INTERNET giant Google is to open a new data centre in Dublin to run its search engine, Gmail and Google Maps services.

And in a further boost to Ireland’s technology presence, a further 100 positions are to be created by a Japanese firm relocating part of its operation to Tralee.

In Dublin, Google has bought 11 acres of land and an existing building in the Profile Park in the west of the city in a €75 million investment.

Google said construction will start soon on a specialised, energy-efficient data centre full of computers that will run the three main online services

Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, said the expansion was a sign of what can be achieved. “The decision by Google, one of the most important multinational companies in Ireland, to locate a state-of- the-art data centre in Dublin is an endorsement of our policies in this area, and a sign of what is possible if we continue our focus,” he said.

The project will create more than 200 jobs during construction, and up to 30 full-time and contractor jobs once operational.

John Herlihy, head of Google Ireland, said the company was very happy to continue investing in Ireland and to build a further presence: “The new data centre will be one of the most energy-efficient in Google’s global fleet.

“This investment further strengthens our presence here, and I’d like to thank IDA Ireland for the assistance they gave us in selecting this site.”

Google also claimed the data centre will be one of the most energy efficient in the world with advanced air-cooling systems which take advantage of the naturally cool climate rather than costly and energy-hungry air-conditioning units.

The internet giant currently employs more than 2,000 people in Ireland.

Earlier this week Twitter announced it had chosen Dublin for an international business centre.

Meanwhile up to 100 jobs have been promised with the move of a financial services company from India to Co Kerry.

JRI Ireland said it was shifting its software development operation from Bangalore to Tralee. The firm, a subsidiary of Japanese financial services company SMFG, vowed to create as many as 100 “highly-skilled” jobs over the next five years.

Recruitment has already begun for positions at the plant, which will be sited at the Kerry Technology Park.

Barry O’Leary, IDA chief executive, said they were delighted such a prestigious financial company decided to set up in Ireland.

lSIPTU has begun talks with medical products manufacturer Carl Zeiss concerning plans to end production at its Wexford plant by the end of this year with the loss of over 80 jobs.