18th February 2025
Over 546,763 jobs in client companies of government agencies in 2024, an increase of 7,030 jobs on 2023
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke has today (18 February 2025) published two surveys on the Irish economy, which reflect the continued strength and resilience of industry in Ireland in the face of the challenges posed by global economic and political headwinds.
The Annual Employment Survey 2024 finds that jobs in client companies of Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and Údarás na Gaeltachta, are now at their highest ever level, at over 546,763 jobs, which is a 1.3% increase on 2023 figures.
The Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact 2023 shows strong growth in sales, exports, value added and direct expenditures in the Irish economy for both Irish and foreign-owned companies in 2023.
The Minister said:
“These results demonstrate the strength and resilience of our jobs market and industry in Ireland, in spite of the challenges posed by global economic and political headwinds.
“In 2024, employment growth in Irish owned firms was strong across the board, including in the construction, business services, and food and drink sectors. Total permanent, full-time jobs among Irish-owned companies has increased by another 2.3% this year, with Irish-owned companies growing in employment in every year over the past decade.
“Among foreign owned firms, employment growth in chemicals, business services and medical devices sectors has meant that we have maintained 300,000 roles across FDI, with 2,237 additional roles added this year. Sales and exports continue to grow strongly, and these companies purchase goods and services in the local economy.
“Government enterprise policy is working and making a significant impact on employment levels and wider society. My department will maintain a laser focus on jobs, actively supporting and incentivising Irish businesses, while also investing in bringing new jobs to Ireland”
Annual Employment Survey 2024 key findings:
- Employment in FDI firms increased by 0.3% since 2023, with 1,064 additional total jobs.
- In Irish-owned firms, employment increased by 2.7%, an increase of 5,966 total jobs since 2023.
- Among Irish owned firms the energy, water, waste construction sector gained the most jobs followed by business services with +1,444 and +995 full time jobs respectively.
- Among foreign owned firms chemicals and business services gained the most jobs with +1,307 and +879 full time jobs respectively.
- Growth in employment between 2015-2024 was strongest in the Dublin region with an increase of 69.4% (+82,129), followed by the South-West (up 44.5%, +24,233 full time jobs). All regions grew employment over the ten-year period.
Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact 2023 key findings:
- Total sales amounted to €509.7 billion in 2023 which represents an increase of 6.8% in current prices on the previous year’s figure of €477.2 billion.
- Total exports in 2023 amounted to €459.4 billion, an increase of 7.0% on the previous year of €429.4 billion, with 92.4% 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 2023 amounted to €206.2 billion, up 6.4% on the previous year with 43.5% 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 2022 by 4.8% to €78.5 billion in 2023. The level of direct expenditure in the Irish economy by foreign-owned client companies was €40.9 billion and €37.5 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 2023 and 2024 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 2024 Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact with all results expected early 2026.
ENDS
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