Dell to create 150 new Irish jobs

Computer giant Dell is to create 150 jobs at its cloud computing operations in Dublin and Limerick over the next two years, it was announced today.

The company announced Dublin as the site for the its first Cloud Research and Development (R&D) Centre, which will help customers move to cloud computing more efficiently.

Cloud computing is the use of a network of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or personal computer.

Recruitment has already begun for software engineers at the company’s first cloud computing research and development centre at Cherrywood, in the capital.

Dell is also seeking IT architects, engineers and developers for its solution centre in Limerick, which will work with business customers on their technology needs.

Jeff Clarke of Dell said the company had been very impressed at the quality of candidates applying for the jobs.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the IDA-backed investment will help Ireland’s ambitions of becoming a world-leader in cloud computing. “The calibre of Dell people and the nature of their work in Ireland are consistent with our ambition to be a knowledge-driven economy,” he said. “We are very pleased to see continued momentum in this direction, especially the creation of new jobs in this vital sector of our economy.”

ICT Ireland, the Ibec group that represents the high-tech sector, also welcomed the announcement, saying Ireland remains a prime location for technology investment. “Today’s announcement of 150 jobs in the cloud-computing space highlights Ireland’s potential to be a global leader in cloud technology," said director Paul Sweetman.

Willie O'Dea, Fianna Fáil spokesperson on enterprise and jobs said he was delighted by the announcement.

"I have maintained the view for some time that cloud computing was an area in which Ireland could quickly become a leading global hub and I hope we're seeing the beginning of that today," he said.

Dell has about 2,300 staff in Ireland - 1,000 in Limerick in service and support and 1,300 in Cherrywood, Co Dublin involved in direct sales and telephone-support operations.