Google's search leads to 200 Dublin jobs

Google, the world's leading Internet search company, is to establish its first Operations Centre outside the U.S. in Dublin creating more than 200 new jobs.

The Centre will be a key link in Google's global business, serving Europe, Middle East and Africa. In addition to its service functions, it will locate servers and associated networking equipment in Ireland to handle Google's growing search traffic.

Tánaiste Mary Harney made the announcement having met with senior company representatives at their Headquarters in California last weekend.

Welcoming Google to Ireland, the Tánaiste said: "It is wonderful news. The announcement is a significant step in the implementation of our strategy to make Ireland a leading player in the digital media industry.

"The investment made by the State and the private sector over the past three years in global connectivity and state of the art technical infrastructure provides Google and other digital media companies with the environment they need to grow and develop their businesses into the future."

The Google Operations Centre in Dublin will be primarily responsible for administration, legal and service functions, as well as providing a data centre to service the European market.

The investment, which is supported by IDA Ireland will create more than 200 jobs over the next three years, with recruitment already underway through the Google website at www.google.com/jobs.

Google will recruit mainly graduates with native multi-lingual fluency in a broad range of European languages. Opportunities will be available in customer support, information technology, finance, legal and human resources activities.