Enterprise Ireland creates 5,442 new jobs in 2013, biggest gain in 10 years

An extra 5442 jobs were created in Enterprise Ireland backed companies last year – the highest net gain for Irish companies in the last decade.

Enterprise Ireland said the increase was primarily because of the strong export performance of Irish firms.

Enterprise Ireland supported companies now, directly and indirectly, account for more than 300,000 jobs in the Irish economy. 18,033 new jobs were created in 2013, according to the agency’s end of year statement – the net loss was 12,591.

Julie Sinnamon, the new Enterprise Ireland chief executive, said the performance was heartening. She went on to say;

“Once against they have continued to increase employment, recording the highest net gain in the last decade.”

“This is no mean acheivement considering the highly challenging business environment they are competing in”

Julie Sinnamon, Enterprise Ireland, Chief Executive

Stand-out jobs announcements of 2013 include food company Glanbia, which is creating 1,600 direct and indirect jobs on the Kilkenny/Waterford border, as well as 90 jobs in Monaghan and Dublin, and call centre player Eishtec, which is creating 250 new jobs, bringing total employment in the company to 960 people.

In 2013, Enterprise Ireland invested in 97 high potential start-ups (HPSUs), which combined aim to employ 1,600 new staff and target €300m in annual sales.

During 2013, a number of Irish companies were acquired by multinational companies (MNCs), including The Now Factory (acquired by IBM), Open Hydro Group Ltd (acquired by DCNS SA), Quintillion Holding Co Ltd (acquired by Bancorp Inc), Storyful Ltd (acquired by News Corporation Inc), and Mapflow Ltd (acquired by Reed Elsevier Plc). Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said the results were brilliant news and is “great testament” to the hard work of the state’s businesses.

“This is the second year in a row that employment in Irish exporting companies has show significant growth, after several years in which jobs were shed.”

Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Joe Robbins

(Director) BBS (Hons), MBPICS – Shannon Office

Joe Robbins is co-founder of CareerWise Recruitment. A graduate of the University of Limerick (Degree in Business Studies, 1985), Joe worked in the UK for five years where he specialised in materials management, production management and plant management for a number of companies.

He returned to Ireland in 1992 to become Operations Manager for a Cork-based start-up, FMC Automotive Division which was subsequently taken over by Snap-on Equipment. Joe managed the business re-location of this company to Shannon in 1997 before setting up CareerWise Recruitment in 1999.

He is a committee member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Mid-West region, and a former Director and Vice President of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce. Joe is former Chairperson of the Sixmilebridge Camogie Club and current Chairperson of the Clare County Camogie Board.

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