Microsoft has announced plans to further expand its EMEA mega datacentre in South County Business Park in Leopardstown, Dublin.

Speaking at the site, Labour TD for Dublin South, Alex White, warmly welcomed the announcement: "I'm delighted by the announcement that Microsoft is expanding its data centre in South Dublin. This confirms and strengthens Ireland's reputation as a leading global centre for cloud services.

"This Government has directly targeted big data as a sector which offers great opportunity for job growth in Ireland.

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"Microsoft investing €126 million, creating 380 temporary construction jobs and 20 permanent jobs, sends a message globally that Ireland is an excellent environment to invest in.

"I am particularly pleased that the new Microsoft facility has a strong focus on sustainability. Ireland's temperate climate will allow the new data centre to keep appropriately cool, meaning greater power efficiency and cost savings. Also, 99 percent of all waste at the facility is recycled.

"The expansion, due for completion in spring 2014, represents a new investment of €126million. Construction of the facility, which has already commenced, will create 380 building-related jobs. Once the new datacentre is operational next year, an additional 20 people will join the team of approximately 80 already based at the company's existing facility."

(CD/JP)