SOUTHSIDE Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, has hailed the announcement that Leopardstown-based Salesforce is to double its workforce in Ireland – described as one of the largest job boosts in Ireland in recent years by Taoiseach Leo Vardakar.
Named one of Ireland’s Best Places to Work for three years and the Best Workplace in Europe in 2018, the global giant revealed that they are significantly expanding the company’s regional headquarters here with plans to add 1,500 new local jobs over the next five years.
Minister Madigan said Salesforce is already a big employer in Leopardstown, where they provide high skilled jobs and opportunities to 1,400 people on the Southside.
"Today's announcement is a further testament to Ireland's leadership in the tech services sector,” the minister said. “It shows the benefit of our excellent education system and business environment as well as the quality of our labour force.
"I recently welcomed Minister Heather Humphreys to Sandyford and Leopardstown to introduce her to the many successful businesses in the area and the local people who are making the Sandyford Business District a thriving hub of enterprise and employment.”
Minister Madigan added: “Ten years ago, Ireland's unemployment rate was almost 15 per cent. Today it is 5.2. This is a phenomenal decline and demonstrates the success of this Government's employment policies."
Salesforce.org, the philanthropic arm of Salesforce, also announced a €1 million grant to Educate Together, to support the opening and running of schools across the country.
Speaking at an event in the Convention Centre Dublin where nearly 1,000 Salesforce employees were present to hear details of the new plans, Leo Varadkar said: “Today we are announcing the location of Salesforce Tower Dublin and the creation of 1,500 new jobs over the next five years.
“This is one of the largest jobs announcements in Ireland in recent years. Salesforce is an important part of our technology sector, helping Ireland become the tech capital of Europe and one of the most globalised and open economies in the world. Ireland is open to investment, to capital, to trade, to talent and to creativity. I particularly welcome Salesforce’s €1 million grant to Educate Together, and the hospitality space being set aside for local community groups. Well done to the entire team in Dublin on your success.”
Salesforce Tower Dublin will be located on North Wall Quay overlooking the Liffey.