Enterprise Ireland (EI) has reported that its client companies created 19,705 new jobs in 2014.
In its End of Year statement, the Government agency said that this resulted in a net increase of 8,476 in the number of people employed by EI-supported companies, the highest net gain in the history of the agency.
While the total direct employment (full and part time) in EI client companies stood at 180,072 in 2014, 156,202 are full-time jobs, while 23,870 are part-time. Additionally, the agency recorded the lowest level of job losses since 2000.
A record number of food HPSUs (eight) were supported in 2014 and, in addition, the Food Works 3 (start-up) programme was launched, with 125 applicants. EI also focused on increasing exports by bringing 907 international buyers into Ireland to encourage them to source from Irish companies.
Capital investment in the agri-food industry (€620m in 2013-2014) was driven primarily by the Dairy sector, in preparation for the anticipated 50% increase in milk output following the abolition of milk quotas in 2015.
This major investment in Dairy has focused on capacity and capability development to cater for increased volumes, and critically to move dairy exports up the product value chain. It is a major boost for rural communities, with the projected growth supporting new jobs in the processing sector, not only at farm level but also in thousands of new downstream jobs in the wider agri-business economy.
EI also focused on regional entrepreneurship and enterprise development initiatives, which included regional Competitive Feasibility and Start Funds, and worked with local third level colleges to optimise their connectivity with local enterprises.
Julie Sinnamon, Chief Executive Officer of EI said: “We are very proud of the record performance of our clients right across the country. The level of increased employment achieved is remarkable and endorses the strategy we have embarked on to 2016. We continue to relentlessly focus on ensuring the right supports are available for clients at every stage of growth. This focus, coupled with our priority to support entrepreneurship across the regions, and develop strong, export focussed, ambitious Irish companies that can win new business, will mean even more jobs for Ireland over the next 12 months.”
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
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