Jobs News

IDA Ireland today (September 2nd 2010) welcomed the announcement by AOL Global Operations Limited that it is to further expand its Dublin operation, creating an additional 20 software development positions at its Dublin Development Centre. 

Today’s announcement follows the company’s announcement in June that it was to create 50 software engineering positions to expand its reach as a leading provider of Internet advertising technologies, services and user content through its wide range of AOL content brands and site.

Commenting on the announcement, IDA Ireland CEO, Barry O’Leary said “The decision by AOL, a leading global internet services and media company, to expand further in Ireland reinforces Ireland’s reputation as one of Europe’s leading locations  for digital media companies. Having only recently announced an additional 50 positions, today’s announcement demonstrates the commitment by AOL to the growth and development of its Irish operations.  I wish the company continued success in Ireland”. 

The new employment opportunities are for high value experienced professional software engineering positions, with opportunities available for both senior and intermediately experienced recruits. 

AOL has been based in Dublin for the past 10 years and currently employs 133 people. Dublin is its development engine for Europe and works alongside its sister Development Centres in San Francisco, Dulles, New York, Bangalore and Frankfurt. The company announced in June that it plans to move to a new headquarters in Dublin City Centre.

The Irish Examiner says that 20 jobs have been created at a Kerry-based property management software firm. Aspen Grove is hiring 20 staff for its development and networking teams. The graduate-level positions include project managers, software developers and designers. The firm provides web-based management solutions for the real estate market.

The Irish Times reports that Dublin-based business technology provider Origina is to invest EUR1.1 million in developing a cloud computing service, creating 10 new jobs. Part of the funding will be put towards collaborative research with universities to design the service. The company also plans to seek up to EUR2 million in additional external funding over the next 12 months to support further infrastructure investments and a move into other markets, including the UK. The service is due to be launched later this year in Ireland, followed by the UK early in 2011. Origina will provide ‘infrastructure as a service’.

With the establishment of a new operations centre in Dublin Google is to create 200 jobs here in Ireland immediately.

The new Dublin-based operations centre will be focused on the search engine giant’s location-based products including Google Local and Google Maps.

These new jobs will bring the number of people employed in Dublin by Google to a total of 1700.

“Dublin is rapidly becoming the multilingual internet capital of Europe and Google is proud to be leading the charge on this and further increasing our presence here,” said David Martin, director, Geo Operations for Google in Europe.

Martin said that the Dublin operations centre will take care of its location-based services for the pan-European market and will be developed as a centre of excellence.

“Google Maps displays so much more than the geography of a place, and now incorporates rich data from thousands of sources in different languages from across the world and also includes local business listings.  This operations centre will help to manage these data sources to give Google Maps users even more local information than before,” he added.

Martin explained that the decision to open a European centre for its location-based service was due in part to the fact that increasing proliferation of smartphones and uptake of Google’s own Android operating system meant that more and more people are using Google Maps, its free Sat Nav service for Android, Street View and so on, and the aim is to provide information that is as accurate and up to date as possible.

“The operations centre will be based in Eastpoint Business Park and plans to be fully operational this year. Google is working with local staffing partners CPL and Manpower to recruit and potential employees will be expected to graduates with one or two years experience in their field and strong IT skills,” said Paul Sweetman, director of ICT Ireland.

“This investment by Google highlights the strength of Ireland’s ICT sector, proving Ireland continues to be the location of choice for major multinational corporations.

“The ICT sector is leading Ireland’s Smart Economy with seven of the top ten global ICT companies having a major presence here. In addition to the 200 jobs announced by Google today, over 2,000 new jobs in the ICT multinational sector have been announced since January 2010. In 2009, the indigenous software sector grew by 6pc in export value.”

The Irish Independent reports that around 25 jobs will be created when electronics retailer DSG opens its latest store in Dublin Airport. DSG is to open a Dixons Travel store next November in the new Terminal 2. The company just opened a store in Terminal 1, creating 25 jobs. It is expected that the Terminal 2 store will employ the same number of people.

The Irish Independent reports that software-testing and quality-management consultancy Software Quality Systems (SQS) plans to increase its Irish workforce by 25 percent to more than 100 employees by September. The German firm made the announcement after hiring 15 professionals with computer skills. The company is now looking for software-quality engineers, software-testing managers, performance engineers and software-test analysts.

The Irish Times reports that 70 jobs are being created in the cloud computing sector following an announcement by Service Source that it is expanding its operation in Sandyford, Dublin. Service Source, which provides cloud computing services to the high-tech, healthcare and life science sectors, is to immediately begin recruiting for “highly skilled” positions at its EMEA headquarters. The expansion is being supported by IDA Ireland. Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe described the jobs announcement as “a strong signal that confidence is returning to the economy and major investors are now planning for the recovery”.

Dublin, Friday 30th July 2010 – IDA Ireland CEO, Barry O’Leary welcomed the expansion of Kellogg’s European Headquarters in Swords, Co Dublin.  The company, which is the world’s leading supplier of ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, is creating 50 high value positions bringing total employment at the Dublin centre to 250.

Kellogg’s set up its European Headquarters in Dublin in 2005, with the support of IDA Ireland.  Kellogg’s Headquarters in Dublin includes service functions such as Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain Management, Legal, Finance, HR, Corporate Affairs and Nutrition. 

Welcoming today’s announcement IDA Ireland CEO Barry O’Leary said “Kellogg’s decision to deepen its commitment to Ireland is a very welcome development demonstrating that even in difficult economic times the positive experience of Foreign Investors in Ireland is such that they will continue to grow their businesses and enhance their strategic standing within their parent corporations. This announcement by a leading global brand like Kellogg’s in their European Headquarters is a significant vote of confidence in Ireland’s international reputation and standing as an excellent investment location.”

“The winning of the original investment in 2005 was of key strategic importance as it helped Ireland establish its reputation as a European Headquarter location for MNCs.”

He added “The company chose Ireland as its European base in 2005 over stiff competition from other locations. Ireland won the investment because we have the skills that the company needs to operate successfully in Europe, including a well educated workforce and a pro business environment.  On behalf of IDA, I look forward to working closely with Kellogg’s as it continues to develop its operations in Ireland.”

About Kellogg:
With 2009 sales of nearly $13 billion, Kellogg Company is the world’s leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, fruit-flavored snacks, frozen waffles, and veggie foods. The Company’s brands include Kellogg’s(R), Keebler(R), Pop-Tarts(R), Eggo(R), Cheez-It(R), Nutri-Grain(R), Rice Krispies(R), BearNaked(R), Morningstar Farms(R), Famous Amos(R), Special K(R), All-Bran(R), Frosted Mini-Wheats(R), Club(R) and Kashi(R). Kellogg products are manufactured in 18 countries and marketed in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information, visit the Kellogg Company web site at http://www.kelloggcompany.com.

For Further information:
IDA Ireland
Thomas McEvoy, Press Manager, Tel: 01 603 4255, Mob: 087 7426684
Gillian Kelly, Press Officer, Tel: 01 603 4190

The report entitled, ‘The Cost of doing Business in Ireland 2010’ shows Ireland’s cost competitiveness has improved considerably for a range of business inputs such as energy, property and a number of key business services.

Welcoming the Report, Barry O’Leary, CEO of IDA said, ‘Competitiveness is a key influencing factor when foreign multinational companies are choosing a location for their international operations. This report is further evidence that the cost of doing business in Ireland is falling, which in turn is helping to win new Foreign Direct Investment for Ireland and grow exports.’

‘IDA along with Government and all stakeholders involved in securing FDI for Ireland must retain a focus on maintaining competitiveness and work closely to ensure our competitive position internationally continues to improve as the economy returns to growth.’

ENDS

The full report can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.competitiveness.ie/media/NCC100722-costs_of_doing_business_in_ireland_2010.pdf

The Irish Examiner reports that professional job opportunities rose 38 percent in June compared with last year. Demand for workers in the IT sector saw a particular increase, according to the Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor. Month-on-month, however, job vacancies fell by 7 percent. There was a 31 percent increase in newly available professional jobs across Ireland this year compared with the second half of 2009. Chief executive of Premier Group Ireland Brian Murphy said the growth levels indicate that some confidence has returned to the jobs market and that businesses are taking a more positive approach to hiring. Murphy said that demand in the IT sector for software developers is a trend he expects to continue into the third quarter this year.

The Wall Street Journal says that handset maker Nokia has launched a search for a new chief executive, according to sources. The move comes as current CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo struggles to find a strong position for the company in the high-end smartphone market. Laurie Armstrong, a spokeswoman for Nokia, said the company would not comment on speculation.

The Irish Examiner reports that William Hill is to launch a dedicated Irish website in the next three months, to capitalise on an increase in revenues from its internet operations here. While the establishment of such a site will boost job levels at the company, it remains unclear if any of the new positions will be based in Ireland or entirely in Gibraltar, where the company’s online gaming division is headquartered for tax purposes. The British bookmaker is due to publish its first-half results next month and has said that group revenue had grown by about 3 percent on a year-on-year basis.

Dublin, Ireland – July 20, 2010 – Covidien, a leading global supplier of healthcare products, today announced the official opening of its Cherrywood European Services Centre and the creation of more than 200 jobs since 2009. €11 million has been invested in the state of the art Cherrywood contact centre which houses customer services, credit control, contracts & pricing and import & export functions for 16 European countries.  The Cherrywood site is also the base for Covidien’s sales and marketing teams in Ireland. 

Covidien also announced today that it will be putting an initial €1.8 million investment into a medical technologies research and development project which will involve three Irish academic institutions.  Full details of the project will be announced later in the year.

The opening of the centre was performed today by the Taoiseach/Prime Minister of Ireland Mr. Brian Cowen who was accompanied by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Mr. Batt O’Keeffe, and Richard J. Meelia, Chairman, President and CEO of Covidien.

At the opening today, the Taoiseach said, “This new European Services Centre and today’s announcement of new investment in collaborative research and development is very much in keeping with the Government’s policy to build a Smart Economy and to position Ireland as a global innovation hub.”

In his remarks, Mr. Meelia highlighted the benefits of centralising the European functions into Ireland. “Covidien has manufactured in Ireland for more than 30 years,” he said. “Ireland is, in fact, where we have the greatest number of employees in all of Europe. Our excellent experience here, coupled with the Government’s long-standing policies supporting business and innovation, clearly makes Ireland an ideal base for our Company.”

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD, said, “Covidien is one of the leading medical device firms based in Ireland. The new European Services Centre reaffirms Covidien’s commitment to Ireland and demonstrates to the global investor community that we have the right mix of skills, workforce flexibility and pro-business policies to support business expansion plans and create jobs. I look forward to Covidien’s planned medical technologies research and development investment which will recognize our reputation as Europe’s emerging innovation hub.”

Prior to the investment in Cherrywood, each country operation of Covidien in Europe was responding to customer questions, product orders, inquiries and returns separately and independently.  Now, the activity is centralized in the Cherrywood center, which is directly responsible for 16 countries and supports 58 countries indirectly. The employees in Cherrywood handle 6,500 contacts daily with over 50,000 products ordered each day.  Recruitment for positions at the site is nearing completion.

The official opening was also attended by Mr. Barry O’Leary, CEO of the IDA. Commenting at today’s opening, Mr. O’Leary said, “The establishment by Covidien of its European Services Centre in Dublin is strategically important to Ireland and the Company.  It is a welcome addition to the increasing number of leading life science companies who have recognised the benefits of locating European Services Centres here.  This operation fits neatly with IDA’s Horizon 2020 strategy, which places a strong focus on winning services-based investment and assisting companies to win new international mandates for Ireland.  Covidien’s Centre is an excellent operation and its establishment here is a vote of confidence in Ireland as a key location to carry out international services.”

About Covidien
Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2009 revenue of $10.7 billion, Covidien has 42,000 employees worldwide in more than 60 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.

Contact: 

Lisa Clemence                                               Suzanne Sullivan
Covidien                                                           Q4PR
Tel: 001-508-452-4375                                 Tel: 086-3797291
Email: lisa.clemence@covidien.com         Email: ssullivan@q4pr.ie

IDA Ireland -

Antoinette Tyrrell, Press Officer, 01-6034256 / 0877572053

The Irish Times reports that software firm Lumension is to create 20 jobs in Galway. The company, which already employs 30 people in the city, develops software that helps firms protect computer data. Galway is home to the company’s international centre for product research and development, customer support and auxiliary services.