100 ICT jobs for Dublin reinforces city’s international status as a high tech hub – Donohoe

1st May, 2013

 

Fine Gael Dublin Central Deputy, Paschal Donohoe, today (Wednesday) said the decision of Squarespace to base its European, Middle East and African Headquarters in Dublin further cements the city’s reputation as a global and superior technological hub.

“The Government has been steadily growing Ireland’s reputation as the internet capital of Europe through measures in the Action Plan for Jobs, which are designed to support home-grown industries and attract foreign ones. We are now seeing real evidence of the fact that these efforts are paying off. The decision of Squarespace to choose Dublin as its first location outside New York further bolsters that.

“In the last two years, more than 11,000 people have been employed in the ICT sector, which has huge potential for growth and job creation. Investments are being made in sectors such as data analytics, since ‘big data’ is estimated to be growing at up to 40% per year. This will ensure that Ireland capitalises on the future growth and stays ahead of the technological curve.

“Squarespace’s decision to base itself in Dublin, with the creation of 100 new jobs, saw many other European cities being sidelined; a fact the company attributes to our young, friendly workforce and our vibrant city life. We must ensure that we continue to meet the needs of company’s like Squarespace. That is why the government has introduced initiatives which will see another 700 graduates from ICT skills conversion programmes being provided for, an additional 600 graduates from Springboard ICT courses and a total of 2,000 additional ICT graduate-level places catered for in the coming year.

“Ensuring Ireland remains an attractive place for investment is crucial to our recovery. Nowhere is this more important than in the ICT sector as international research shows that for every high-tech job that is created, a further four to five jobs are created elsewhere in the economy.

“The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, and his department are to be commended for their efforts in building the environment in which Irish jobs can be created. So too must the IDA, which established a division three years ago to identify high-growth companies that could be interested in establishing operation in Ireland; companies exactly like Squarespace.”