Over 75% of new jobs in 2014 created by Irish companies – Corcoran Kennedy

“ In 2014 alone just under 30,000 jobs were created and of these over 75% were created by indigenous Irish companies, indicating the strength and stability of the economic recovery” commented Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly and Chair of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee following the publication today (Wednesday), of the Quarterly National Household Survey by the CSO.

“There is great fanfare when foreign direct investment (FDI) is announced in any part of the country and for very good reason, as FDI brings huge employment opportunities and with it a knock on boost to local economies.

“However for every FDI job that was created in 2014, three more indigenous Irish jobs came on stream. This is extremely encouraging and indicates the steady and consistent recovery of the economy.

“Since the launch of the Action Plan for Jobs by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton in 2012, almost 90,000 new jobs have been created across the country and employment has grown in all 8 regions.

“It is particularly encouraging to see that in 2014 part-time employment shrunk by approximately 10,000 but full-time employment increased by 40,000. Again this is an indication of confidence in the jobs market.

“The Government this year is focussing on Regional Job Creation to ensure that every person in all parts of the country feels the effect of the recovery. Irish entrepreneurs and established businesses are a key element of this so the fact that 75% of jobs in 2014 were created by Irish companies is very positive.

“Today’s figures show that the plan is working and that we are well on the way to surpassing our target of 100,000 jobs by 2016.The Government is now focussed on achieving 40,000 jobs in 2015 alone and reaching full employment by 2018.

“We are on the right road but now is not the time for complacency. The recovery is real but it is fragile and it is incomplete with some areas still not benefiting as they should. If we continue to attract foreign investment, as well as supporting new and existing Irish businesses, I am confident that we can continue to create further job opportunities right across the country.”