1,000 PayPal jobs to benefit graduates with second language

Graduates with a second language look set to benefit most from the announcement that PayPal is creating 1,000 jobs over the next four years in Co Louth.

The staff at the new European operations centre in Dundalk will have to deal with customers using 14 languages. The company has confirmed at least half of the recruits will need to have a second language.

“I haven’t decided whether there will be 10 or a thousand graduates,” said Pay Pal vice president of global operations Louise Phelan. “I’m looking for people with relevant experience to carry out the roles we need to fill.”

As well as customer service for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the jobs will also be in operations, finance and sales.

PayPal already employs 1,500 people at its €15m European headquarters in Blanchardstown.

Ms Phelan said the company had considered other countries in Europe for the centre and one of the reasons for selecting Dundalk was its close proximity to the Blanchardstown centre.

PayPal is expected to start recruiting in July with 300 of the positions to be filled before the end of this year.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said Ireland was now a stable and safe location for investment that allows companies such as PayPal to plan for the future with confidence.

“This announcement is also a clear recognition of the talented and highly skilled workforce in the region who I know will welcome the news. I see the experience of PayPal in Ireland as something the Government wants to replicate.

“The company in Ireland has grown from a small operation of 25 staff in 2003 to its current 1,350 employees. And now it will create an additional 1000 jobs. That is a phenomenal success story and we are very proud to be part of it.”

He added that Ireland can become “the gateway of the superpowers into Europe, the meeting point between east and west”.

PayPal was founded in 1998 and has 232m customers in 190 markets worldwide.

The company, which has its headquarters in California, processes online payments and is a subsidiary of online auction site eBay which bought it in 2002.

“Our new employees will be joining PayPal at an exciting time,” said Ms Phelan. “Our vision is to help people pay for things any time, anywhere and on any type of electronic device. We’re re-imagining money to work better for consumers and businesses at a time when the line between the online world and the high street is breaking down.”

Local TD Fergus O’Dowd said the impact of the jobs announcement for the county could not be understated.

“One thousand individuals and families will benefit directly from these jobs.

“The news will also be a huge boost to retailers and suppliers in Dundalk and the border region who have experienced more than their fair share of hardship.”