More Than 19,000 New Jobs Created By Enterprise Ireland Companies In 2017

New figures have revealed Enterprise Ireland-backed companies created more than 19,000 new jobs in 2017, with almost 210,000 people now employed in companies supported by the agency.

As the highest total employment achieved in the history of the agency, the figures represent 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.

Job creation was evenly spread across the country, with every county and region seeing increased employment. Two thirds (64%) of the new jobs created were outside of Dublin. The West, Mid-West and North West saw the largest level of increases at 7% in 2017.

Enterprise Ireland attributes this strong performance by Irish businesses to the continuing growth of an entrepreneurial climate for start-ups, allied to strong jobs growth in the Construction (8% increase), Engineering (8% increase), Lifesciences (8% increase), Digital Technology (6% increase), Electronics (6% increase), Food (4% increase) and ICT sectors (5% increase).

Making the announcement 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.

"At Enterprise Ireland, our Strategy – Build Scale, Expand Reach 2017-2020 – is focused on transforming the innovation and competitive capabilities of Irish enterprise, to expand the global reach of ambitious Irish companies into diversified export markets and we are pleased with the results of the first year of our new strategy. It is imperative, however, that Irish businesses continue to build on the strength of their 2017 performance and implement robust plans to prepare for the impact of Brexit."

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, added: "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.

"As a rural TD from a border area, I am acutely aware of the challenges facing indigenous businesses as a direct result of the UK's decision to leave the European Union. In recent months, Enterprise Ireland, through funding provided by my Department, has launched new measures to strengthen the rural and regional economy, and to provide quicker access to innovation funding for exporting companies.

"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.

Announcing details of the new Fund, Julie Sinnamon said: "In the context of Brexit, consolidating exports to the UK, while also expanding the Irish export footprint in markets beyond the UK, is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland. The new Market Discovery Fund, along with our intensive international programme of export focused trade missions, and our recently introduced Agile Innovation Fund, are key supports which will be instrumental to helping even more companies grow and reach new export markets. The new Fund further underpins our goal of increasing exports by €5bn by 2020."

(MH/LM)