Smart Education in Ireland : Linkedin buys new HQ to hire 600 more in Ireland

LinkedIn says it could double its Irish workforce from 600 to 1,200 after announcing plans for a new corporate headquarters in Dublin that will massively increase the online firm's presence in Ireland.

The company's new 200,000 square foot site in Dublin 2 was announced as its current hiring spree in Ireland continues unabated. So far this year, the online professional networking giant has increased its Irish workforce by more than a third, from 450 people to over 600 now.

But its new planned headquarters represents, to be built in 2015, is part of the company's "investment" in a "capacity to see LinkedIn's current Irish workforce grow from 600 to 1,200".

The move comes as cash-rich global social networking firms rapidly ramp up their Dublin facilities. Both Facebook and Twitter are understood to be in advanced negotiations for larger Dublin offices that can house their swelling workforces here.

"Dublin is now home to a very vibrant digital technology sector and with that comes an important ecosystem for companies like ours as well as the strong pool of talented digital professionals that we need access to in order to further grow our operations in the future," said Sharon McCooey, senior director with LinkedIn Ireland.

News of LinkedIn's expansion plans will be greeted with some relief by Irish authorities concerned about negative publicity associated with European tax investigations in possibly leading to other technology multinational firms.

"LinkedIn's investment speaks volumes about the talented workforce in Ireland, one of the key factors in their decision to make a long term commitment here," said Martin Shanahan, chief executive of the IDA.

Irish staff now make up more than 10pc of the company's overall global headcount, which stands at 5,700. The company bases a variety of different functions including sales and marketing at its offices in Wilton Place.

Elsewhere, the Dublin-based financial software firm Fineos announced that it intends to create 50 new jobs at its new headquarters in Eastpoint Business Park.

"Ireland is emerging the best place to study nowadays...many students are selecting Ireland because the country offers many good reasons which no other country till now offers", says Mr. Deepak, Education Manager, Career XL Services..

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