Every region recorded job increases with 64% of new jobs created outside of Dublin
Construction, Lifesciences and Engineering sectors delivered largest jobs increases
Enterprise Ireland launches new Market Discovery Fund, a key new Brexit response
Pictured above are Terence O'Rourke, Chairman of Enterprise Ireland, Minister for Business and Innovation, Heather Humphreys and Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland, the Government agency responsible for developing Irish business globally, has reported the creation of 19,332 new jobs by Enterprise Ireland backed companies in 2017. 209,338 people are now employed in companies supported by the agency. This is the highest total employment achieved in the history of the agency.
This represents a net increase of 10,309 jobs for 2017, taking account of job losses. In line with total employment levels, the net increase in jobs, is the highest on record with Enterprise Ireland. The job creation figures are up on 2016, despite the uncertainty that Irish businesses faced in 2017 in the context of Brexit.
Making the announcement today at the headquarters of Enterprise Ireland client technology company Ding, Enterprise Ireland Chief Executive Julie Sinnamon said:
“Today’s figures represent another year of strong performance by our client companies who now employ over 209,000 people and are a barometer of the robust health of Irish businesses. Despite the challenge and uncertainty created by Brexit, Irish companies have continued to grow their global exports, supporting strong job creation across all of the regions of Ireland.”
Discussing the results, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, said:
“Today’s results are consistent with the strong employment performance across the economy. Whatever the outcome of the complex Brexit negotiations that lie ahead, it is vital that as a country we are ready, and that the Government continues to take initiatives to bolster the capacity of our enterprise agencies to drive exports and support investment.”
“Overall, my Department’s eight Regional Action Plans for Jobs, which will be a key focus of my work in the coming period, are now embedded across the country. They are excellent examples of government agencies like Enterprise Ireland, local authorities, the Local Enterprise Offices and businesses working together to tackle regional issues. These results mark another step in the right direction for our regional plans.”
Today, Enterprise Ireland also announced the launch of a new Market Discovery Fund to support Enterprise Ireland backed companies to diversify into new markets and promote new products to existing markets. The new fund, which is another Brexit response measure, will support companies to appoint in-market accelerators, set up an in-market office, attend and exhibit at trade shows, develop market research and marketing collateral. There are three levels of funding available to companies: up to €35,000, up to €75,000 and up to €150,000.