Microsoft’s €170m investment will create 380 construction jobs and 20 permanent positions – Keating

Fine Gael Dublin Mid West Deputy, Derek Keating, has welcomed the announcement today (Tuesday) of the further expansion of Microsoft’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa mega datacentre at Grangecastle in Dublin. Deputy Keating said this announcement comes just days after the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, turned the sod on a €100 million data centre for Digital Realty Trust, Inc. at Profile Park in west Dublin.

“The decision by Microsoft to expand operations at Grangecastle signals another vote of confidence in west Dublin and the strength of the Big Data sector that is located there. Just last week we had an announcement by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. whose expansion in the area will see the building of a 193,000 square feet facility and as many as 150 construction workers will be employed during the construction phase. Microsoft’s further development of this facility will bring the company’s total level of investment to €594 million and will increase the datacentre campus’ computing capacity by 169,000 square feet.

“Big Data is one of the industries that has been targeted for potential growth and development in the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs. This development is being supported by the Department of Enterprise and the IDA and I commend both for their efforts in bringing the project to fruition.

“Week after week we are tackling the unemployment crisis and are now at a point where 58,000 more people are at work this year compared to last. We still have a considerable way to go but the message we have been sending out since we first took office that Ireland is open for investment is firmly taking hold. This investment will see 380 construction jobs being created, as well as an additional 20 permanent positions which will come as welcome news for those in the construction sector who have been so badly hit and for those who secure the permanent posts.”

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