A 5% increase in jobs created by Enterprise Ireland-backed companies in 2022

Companies backed by Enterprise Ireland now employ 218,178 people. The jobs growth translates into a net increase of 10,841 jobs created last year.

Enterprise Ireland companies now employ 218,178 people, an increase of 5% on the 2021 outturn and 68% of these jobs are outside Dublin.

Core sectors

Employment increased across Enterprise Ireland’s three core economic sectors – technology and services (+8%), industrial and life sciences (+5%), and food and sustainability (+3%).

Strong employment growth was reported in specific sub-sectors such as:

• climate, sustainability and agritech (+13%)

• digital technology (+9%),

• high-tech construction and housing (+6%), and

• fintech, financial and business services (+6%)

The life sciences and engineering sectors both saw 5% employment growth.

Local economic impact

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, said:

“A real positive of today’s results is the regional balance in terms of both new jobs created and total employment. More than 147,000 people in the regions are now employed by Enterprise Ireland client companies, making an enormous contribution to local economies and communities.

“I firmly believe that with a strong focus on innovation, digitalisation, sustainability and regional development, Enterprise Ireland will continue to enhance their significant contribution to growing and maintaining quality jobs in every region and county in Ireland.”

He added:

“The White Paper on Enterprise which we published last December together with progressing the recommendations of the SME Taskforce and, in combination with Enterprise Ireland’s own strategy, will help to guide us on our journey to drive the improvements that matter most to small businesses, particularly the evolution towards a green and digital future, which are the twin pillars of our future enterprise policy.

“To help business to adapt and to make the necessary changes we need to build on successful interventions, like the Digital and Green Transition Funds, and to reap the opportunities available.”

Thinking globally

Also speaking at today’s figures launch, Enterprise Ireland CEO Leo Clancy said:

“Supporting Irish-owned companies to achieve greater scale and expand their global footprint is a priority for Enterprise Ireland in 2023 and we are committed to supporting Irish companies on their journey to become global leaders in their field.

“This will ensure that Irish enterprise continues to create and sustain jobs, providing a platform for strong economic growth into the future.”

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