Thousands of new roles could be generated in Ireland through the growing popularity of cloud computing.

This is according to a new report from Goodbody Economic Consultants, which forecast as many as 8,600 IT jobs in Ireland could be created by 2014.

In the study, commissioned by Microsoft Ireland, the company notes the nation could become an international centre of excellence for virtualization technologies if action is taken by the government.

Furthermore, the publication claims 11,000 indirect positions could be provided as a result of expanding Ireland's cloud computing sector, with the industry potentially generating annual sales of €9.5 billion in three years' time.

Commenting on the report, managing director of Microsoft Ireland Paul Relis stated: "Ireland has a real opportunity to create new jobs, new businesses and enhance our competitiveness. If correct steps are taken now, Ireland could be home to the next Facebook."

Figures from Ireland's Central Statistics Office for December 2010 indicated the standardized unemployment rate stood at 13.4 per cent over the month.

Posted by Alex Donnell