Increasing number of non-EU workers needed for IT jobs in Ireland
Figures from the Department of Enterprise have shown an increase in the number of employment permits issued for people coming from outside the EU to work in IT last year.
A total of 932 such permits were issued in 2011, compared to 551 in 2010.
The permits are only issued after employers can show that they have made every effort to hire an Irish worker or one from the EU or European Economic Area.
Paypal is currently in the process of recruiting 1,000 people for a new investment in Co Louth.
Vice president for Paypal's global operations, Louise Phelan, said that a lack of candidates with a second language can mean they are forced to look abroad for staff.
"We will get a huge amount of applications … and we will go through them in a lot of detail to make sure that we can support the Irish economy," she said.
"But at the end of the day, if I can't get the people with the languages I am going to ... bring those people into Ireland."
