Enterprise Ireland announced that net employment at its clients increased by just over 5,000 people last year to a record high of 225,500 in what was an “extremely challenging year for businesses”.
This government agency helps Irish businesses, from start-ups to multinationals, grow, scale up and compete in global markets.
In 2023, 15,530 new jobs were created, resulting in a net gain of just over 5,000 jobs after accounting for job losses.
CEO Leo Clancy said job growth in these regions was particularly strong and exceeded the Irish company’s targets.
“We have set a target for more than two-thirds of jobs to be created outside of Dublin, with 68% of growth this year occurring in the Dublin region,” he told Morning Ireland.
“I don’t think this is very widespread and there is no single cause, but what I can say is that when jobs are created in rural areas, both employers and the public are more willing to take on ambitious companies. I think that’s a big soft factor that we don’t talk about as much as we need to.”
Mr Clancy said Ireland’s export-focused companies continued to create high-quality jobs.
“We have an international network of over 150 experts in their fields and industries in 39 offices around the world. We’re looking at how we can help you do that. Back home, we have a team to work with.” The company is committed to building its proposition to be productive, innovative and always thinking about the global market. ”
The employment results were announced at APC’s headquarters in Cherrywood, Dublin, where the life sciences company announced a €100 million expansion and creation of 300 new jobs to establish a ‘Medicine Accelerator Campus’.
The CEO of Enterprise Ireland also spoke about the importance of immigration and the skill sets they bring to the Irish labor market.
“It’s very important,” he said. “Access to talent from around the world is critical in Ireland’s tough labor market. Our ability to attract people here and attract good jobs is a key factor for both individuals and businesses who come here.”
Each of Enterprise Ireland’s three main sectors recorded employment growth, with Food and Sustainability up 3% to 66,047 people employed, Industrial and Life Sciences up 2% to 93,652 people, and Technology and the services sector, which employs 65,796 people, up 2%.
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The agency said the climate change, sustainability and agritech sectors performed well, with employment increasing by 7%, while FDI in dairy, beverages and food also increased employment by 5%.
Employment increased by 4% in life sciences companies and 3% in the high-tech housing and construction sector.
The digital technology and fintech sectors continued to grow modestly at around 2% despite headwinds in the tech industry, with international education and edtech reporting job growth of 5%.
Mr Clancy said: “Looking to the year ahead, our main focus is to support Irish entrepreneurs in their ambitions to help them scale globally.”
“At Enterprise Ireland, we are determined to support both start-ups and established businesses to increase sales and exports on global markets, which in turn will lead to more jobs.
“Business confidence remains very strong for our customers and they continue to innovate to ensure they remain competitive in a turbulent global market. Enterprise Ireland is here to support these companies on their journey. is.”