Foreign investment delivers 6,570 jobs in Ireland in 2012, figures show

Around 6,570 jobs were delivered through foreign direct investment in Ireland last year, according to figures published today (January 7th).

IDA Ireland revealed that 12,722 jobs were created overall by foreign enterprises, but a further 6,152 lost - creating a net gain of 6,500 positions.

Overall, more than 150,000 people are now employed in Ireland because of direct investment from foreign businesses, the figures showed.

Minister for Enterprise and Jobs Richard Bruton explained that firms including Apple and PayPal are helping to encourage growth in the country's economy.

"These investments are a superb vote of confidence in the Irish economy and the Irish people," he added.

"The challenge now is both to grow our level of foreign investments here and also to maximise the positive impact of those companies for the wider Irish economy."

It comes after the Small Firms Association said that up to 20,000 jobs can be created by smaller businesses in Ireland this year if the government puts these types of enterprises at the forefront of its economic policy.

Posted by Thomas Fletcher

Date published 18 Feb 2013 | Last updated 7 Jan 2013