Latest figures have shown that Enterprise Ireland supported companies in County Galway created 159 new jobs in 2019 leading to an increase of 1,534 over the last three years.
Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney said: “These figures from the Government agency are a great achievement, particularly in the face of the uncertainty caused by Brexit.
“Enterprise Ireland supported companies now employ a total of 221,895 people nationally and I am delighted to see that 65% of those jobs are outside Dublin.
“The figure is a record in Enterprise Ireland’s 20-year history. Two thirds of the new jobs created in 2019 were outside Dublin and I want to congratulate the agency for its role in stimulating growth in the regions.
“As chair of the Atlantic Economic Corridor Taskforce which promotes jobs in nine counties from Kerry to Donegal, I am also delighted to see that 880 new jobs were created in Enterprise Ireland supported companies in the region in 2019.
“Successful regions are vital to the country’s economy and we will continue to prioritise regional enterprise in 2020.
“The companies supported make an additional valuable contribution to local economies because they source an average of two thirds of their materials and services from other Irish firms.
“The figures show we have demonstrated great resilience and made huge progress but even so growth is slowing reflecting the Brexit effect. As a consequence, we need to redouble our efforts to evolve and remain competitive.
“Enterprise Ireland and the Government’s Future Jobs Ireland strategy to promote growth will play a key role in achieving new jobs going forward.
“The strategy prepares businesses and workers for the future by looking at areas like skills and talent, small and medium enterprise productivity, labour force participation, technological change and the transition to a lower carbon economy.”
In terms of news jobs supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2019, Cleantech businesses grew nine percent, Lifesciences jobs by six percent, Fintech by six percent, Electronics by five percent and Information and Computer Technologies and international services by four percent.
Growth of one percent in the food sector underlined the uncertainty created by Brexit.
Overall jobs growth translated into a net increase nationally of 4,706 jobs in 2019.

For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
January 7 2019