Three hundred new jobs for the Southside

THE announcement of 300 new jobs for the Southside has been described as another very important day in the jobs-led recovery.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny was in Sandyford this afternoon where he welcomed the announcement made by the software company, Sage Technologies, that has chosen Ireland for its new European Customer Business Centre.

 Sage is the global leader in its field – supplying business management software to small and medium sized companies.

It is the only software company on the FTSE 100.

Mr Kenny said he was delighted to mark another step on Ireland’s road to recovery. 

“Today’s announcement of 300 new jobs by the expansion of Sage in Ireland is a significant one,” he said.

“Since entering office in 2011, this Government has placed a priority on getting Ireland back to work. 

“Since we launched our Action Plan for Jobs to support vital sectors such as software we have seen over 125,000 new jobs created. Today over 1,300 new jobs are created every week. 

“The jobs created here by Sage after deciding to locate their new European Customer Business Centre in Ireland will be a huge boost to our national mission of securing and embedding the recovery.”

Mr Kenny said the Government had worked hard to restore Ireland’s international reputation as a place of enterprise and investment. 

“Today, Ireland’s Software sector is thriving, with 9 of the top 10 international companies located here,” he added

“Our reputation as a centre of software excellence is unrivalled in Europe, and we are home to over 900 software companies, including both multinational and indigenous firms, employing 24,000 people and generating some €16 billion worth of exports annually.”

Mr Kenny said the “fantastic announcement” fell on an important week for Ireland’s recovery. 

“As you know, this Government delivered its fifth Budget yesterday,” he added

“The last few budgets have been hard, but they made it possible for Ireland to exit the bailout, reduce our debts, and move into a real recovery. 

“The top priority of this year’s budget is to keep that recovery going, while providing relief and better services for the Irish people.

“This Budget is another step in our plan to keep the recovery going.”

The Tánaiste Joan Burton added that the jobs announcement was a massive statement of confidence in the country’s future.

“It underlines once more our highly skilled workforce and the attractiveness of Dublin as a tech hub,” she said. “It will be another vital contribution to our jobs-led recovery.

“And I’ve no doubt it will help persuade other companies that their future should be in Ireland too.

“The Government and the State agencies will play our part in this. Sage has a motto about what it does – ‘Reimagining Business’.

“In a way, that’s what the Government is doing too – we’re Reimagining Ireland.

“In 2011, we inherited a country on its knees.

“The picture couldn’t be more different now.”

Minister Alex White said the announcement was fantastic news for the Southside and further evidence that Ireland’s sustainable jobs-led recovery is bringing real benefits to communities.

“This fast-growing technology-based company will be hiring people in marketing, digital sales and services, which will provide quality job and career opportunities in the area,” he added.

Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter added: “Jobs growth is a vital ingredient to our securing the recovery and I welcome the announcement today by Sage of the opening of their new offices in Sandyford and the creation of 300 jobs.

“This will further boost employment opportunities for those who live in Dublin Rathdown and across South Dublin generally and further add to the vibrancy and prestige of Sandyford Business Park as a technology centre of excellence.  

“I wish the company and its new employees every success and welcome them to Sandyford.”

Deputy Olivia Mitchell (FG) said that by choosing to locate in Sandyford, Sage, Europe’s second largest technology company, will join some of the premier tech companies.

“Sage is seeking a labour force comprised of high level professionals in marketing, sales and services and will benefit from the rich technology talent pool already established in Dublin Rathdown,” she  said.

“These new jobs themselves will be a welcome boost to the Dublin Rathdown economy, as will the spin off jobs resulting from so many additional people working in the area.”