26th February 2024
Over 535,604 jobs in client companies of government agencies in 2023, an increase of 4,033 jobs on 2022
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney TD has today published two surveys on the Irish economy, which demonstrate the strength of Ireland’s economy despite the challenges posed by serious challenges in international trade.
The Annual Employment Survey 2023 finds that jobs in client companies of government agencies, Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and Údarás na Gaeltachta, are now at their highest ever level, at over 535,604 jobs, which is a 0.8% increase on 2022 figures.
The Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact 2022 shows strong growth in sales, exports, value added and direct expenditures in the Irish economy for both Irish and foreign-owned companies in 2022.
Minister Coveney said:
“These results show the resilience of industry in Ireland. In spite of the challenges posed by the global downturn in the IT sector, inflation and the war in Ukraine, employment in companies supported by the government is at a new record high. In 2023, employment growth in Irish owned firms and in the foreign owned chemicals and medical devices sectors have offset the losses in the IT sector. Sales and exports continue to grow strongly, and these companies purchase goods and services in the local economy. Government enterprise policy is working and my department will continue to support Irish business, while also investing in bringing new jobs to Ireland through our agencies.”
Annual Employment Survey 2023 key findings:
- employment in FDI firms decreased by 0.2% since 2022, with 601 less total jobs
- in Irish-owned firms, employment increased by 2.1%, an increase of 4,634 total jobs since 2022
- among Irish owned firms the energy, water, waste construction sector gained the most jobs followed by food, drink and tobacco with +1,262 and +1,137 full time jobs respectively
- among foreign owned firms chemicals and medical devices gained the most jobs with +1,472 and +1,330 full time jobs respectively
- growth in employment between 2014-2023 was strongest in the Dublin region with an increase of 78.8% (+85,861), followed by the South-West (up 55.5%, +27,537 full time jobs). All regions grew employment over the ten-year period
Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact (2022) key findings:
- total sales amounted to €465.8 billion in 2022 which represents an increase of 12.5% in current prices on the previous year’s figure of €414.1 billion
- total exports in 2022 amounted to €419.2 billion, an increase of 12.0% on the previous year of €374.4 billion, with 92.1% of these exports being from foreign-owned enterprises
- value added (sales less materials and services costs) has also increased over this time-series and in 2022 amounted to €190.6 billion, up 13.0% on the previous year with 44.7% of this increase attributable to the foreign owned IT services sector
- direct expenditure in the Irish economy (payroll, Irish materials, Irish services) has increased over 2021 by 16.6% to €73.9 billion in 2022. The level of direct expenditure in the Irish economy by foreign-owned client companies was €38.1 billion and €35.9 billion for Irish-owned client companies
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment co-ordinates these surveys of the client companies of the enterprise development agencies (Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta). The results are presented by company ownership in terms of Irish and foreign-owned firms.
The indicators collected include annual sales and exports and payroll, materials and services costs. Data collected in 2022 and 2023 is merged with results of previous surveys to provide trend data and indicators are available by ownership and sector and are used by the agencies in their annual reports and end-of-year statements.
Agencies have commenced surveys of client companies for the 2023 Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact with all results expected early 2025.
Notes for Editors
Annual Employment Survey 2023
Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact 2022
ENDS
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