Zurich Creates 112 Hi-tech Jobs

27 Mar 2013

Ireland has seen off international competition to land 112 hi-tech jobs from leading global financial services company Zurich Insurance Group.

Zurich, which already has its European general insurance headquarters here, is establishing two IT hubs in Dublin – one supporting the company’s IT service management capabilities and the other to support cyber security management and data protection.

Recruitment for the jobs, which will go to senior IT specialists, management and graduates, has begun and the company said it selected Ireland as the skills are here.

The company, which handles €26bn in assets here and has an Irish turnover of €9bn, already employs more than 1,000 people in Ireland and said it would not be adding to that number if the talent was not available.

“Ireland was chosen for this innovative investment due to the success of Zurich’s existing operations here and for our IT and cyber security talent, skills and research capability, including the Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Investigation Centre at UCD,” said IDA Ireland chief executive Barry O’Leary.

Also speaking at the jobs announcement, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said it was further evidence of the significant confidence that was being shown in Ireland, while Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said it was proof the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs was working.

Patrick Manley, CEO of Zurich’s European General Insurance unit, said the company’s move was further confirmation of its commitment to Ireland and belief and confidence in the Irish business environment and economy.

The Taoiseach noted that, on average, 1,000 jobs were being created in the private sector every month and said the Government’s aim of creating 100,000 net new jobs during its time in office was still achievable.

Mr Bruton noted that before the change of government, 90,000 jobs a year were being lost. He added that there was not a disproportionate reliance being placed on the tech sector.

He said that ICT was not a single sector, but was instead a transformational area which impacts on everything, “and we need to be at the forefront”.

Source: http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/zurich-creates-112-hi-tech-jobs-226610.html