Microsoft has just announced that the latest phase of expansion for its data centre facilities in Ireland and the Netherlands, both of which serve as cloud computing hubs for European customers, has been completed.

The expansion in Ireland builds on two previous expansions of the Data Centre which first opened in Ireland in 2009 following an initial €500m investment.

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The investment in Ireland is supported by the Department of Jobs through IDA Ireland.

Speaking today,The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD said: “Big data is a key sector which we have targeted as part of our Action Plan for Jobs. In Ireland we have major advantages in this area which we in Government are determined to take full advantage of – a moderate climate, the presence already of many of the biggest ICT companies in the world, and a highly skilled workforce in this area – and we have put in place a range of measures to attract more investments in this area. Today’s announcement that Microsoft has expanded its data infrastructure in Ireland is a great boost, and I look forward to continuing to work with Cathriona Hallahan and the team in the future”.

IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan said: “Ireland is global technology hub of choice when it comes to attracting the strategic business activities of ICT companies. Data centre activity in Ireland continues to thrive and Ireland is well positioned to win more investment in this area.