Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton has confirmed the total cost of administering IDA Ireland’s 18 overseas offices in 2011 was €10.5 million.

The Minister said: “It is not possible to give a breakdown of the cost of each individual office, but the total costs associated with the six offices in the US are €5.4 million; the three European offices are €2.5 million, and the nine remaining offices in Asia and growth markets are €2.5 million.” The IDA, responsible for attracting foreign direct investment into Ireland, enjoyed its best year since 2002 last year with client companies generating 13,000 new jobs.