Internet search giant Google is to create over 600 jobs in Ireland over the next two to three years, the company has announced.
The IDA-supported jobs announcement had been widely flagged in the media in recent days but was officially unveiled by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, and Google's European director, John Herlihy, in Dublin today.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin
Google's Dublin office is the company's European headquarters and its largest operation outside the US.
It provides technical, sales and operations support as well as financial services to Google customers in over 35 countries. The company employs over 800 people throughout Europe.
Google said over 600 "high-level positions" would be created in total over the next "two to three" years across the range of business operations. Many of the posts will require a third-level qualification and multilingual skills.
The firm said it aims to become the number one choice for those who wished to pursue a career in the European media or technology industries.
Google said it had signed a lease for a further 100,000 square feet of office space beside its offices at Barrow Street in Dublin.
Speaking at the office today, Mr Martin said that since its inception in Ireland in 2003, Google's business has rapidly developed well ahead of expectations.
"Following this investment, Google will become, in a very short period of time, one of the most substantial business support integration and development operations in Ireland. This decision yet again demonstrates that Ireland is by far and away the primary location for the digital media industry in Europe and second only to Silicon Valley in the US," he said.
He added that Google's decision was "a tremendous vote of confidence in Ireland's ability to provide the levels of skills and expertise necessary for success.
"The Irish management and workforce are to be congratulated on the success of the company here to date - a factor that considerably influenced Google's decision to expand in Ireland."
Mr Herlihy of Google said: "Basing our European operations here in Dublin has proven to be a great 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. We really appreciate the support of the Irish Government and the assistance of IDA Ireland in developing our business here."