Published: Wednesday, 27th January, 2010 4:39pm

PayPal adds 100 jobs to Blanch operation

Global online payments company PayPal last week announced the creation of a further 100 new jobs in customer service and operations at its European Centre of Excellence in Blanchardstown.

The new roles are in addition to the 150 extra jobs announced during 2009.

PayPal currently employs more than 1,100 people at its Blanchardstown site. Last week's announcement has opened up further opportunities for permanent positions in customer service and operations for individuals fluent in English and a second European language.

Commenting on the announcement, Uwe Heddendorp, vice-president of PayPal European operations, said: "It is a great testament to the team here in Dublin that we are able to announce the creation of further jobs at PayPal. Our European business continues to grow and I am proud to be able to once again support Irish job creation."

Taoiseach Brian Cowen, who opened the PayPal European Centre of Excellence in March 2009, said: "I am delighted that PayPal continues to go from strength to strength. The creation of a further 100 jobs is great news both locally and nationally and it underlines Ireland's continuing ability to attract high-calibre foreign direct investment."

Barry O'Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland, said PayPal's investment represents a key endorsement from one of the world's leading online companies, and is further evidence of Ireland's ability to compete for and win high-quality technologically advanced foreign direct investment. He said the expansion builds on Ireland's reputation as a global hub for the digital media sector.

PayPal's European Operation Centre opened in Dublin in 2003. Since then, the number of staff has increased from just 25 to more than 1,100 today. In 2009, it announced an investment of €15m to support the development of a European Centre of Excellence in Blanchardstown. The Dublin centre manages all direct customer contact for PayPal's businesses across Europe. More information about the new positions can found at www.paypaljobsireland.com