THE NUMBER of Irish enterprises with broadband internet connection has increased by 22 per cent since 2007, standing higher than the EU average for the first time.

Broadband internet access by enterprises with 10 or more employees rose to 83 per cent in 2008, up from 68 per cent in 2007. This figure is 2 per cent above the EU27 average.

Iceland has the highest level of broadband penetration. Some 99 per cent of that country's enterprises were connected to the internet via broadband by 2008.

Research released by the Central Statistics Office yesterday also revealed rapid growth in broadband use among households.

Some 43 per cent of Irish households, that had at least one member aged between 16 and 74, had broadband internet connection this year, an increase of 39 per cent since 2007. However, broadband penetration in households in Ireland still lags behind the EU27 average of 48 per cent.

The number of households with a home computer is also on the rise, reaching 70 per cent, an increase of 27 per cent since 2005.

Some 14,690 or 98 per cent of Irish enterprises with 10 or more employees had a computer, with just 2 per cent of enterprises with computers not connected to the internet.

A separate report released by the CSO yesterday showed that less than half the output of Irish- owned manufacturing firms was exported in 2006, compared to 93 per cent for foreign-owned firms.

The gross output exported by Irish-owned manufacturing firms amounted to nearly €7.3 billion, while gross export for foreign- owned firms totalled nearly €80 billion according to the 2006 Census for Industrial Production.

The gross output of Irish-owned manufacturing firms increased to €21,531 billion, representing 20 per cent of total gross output, up slightly on 2005.

Electrical goods were the biggest Irish export in 2006 according to the statistics, accounting for almost €30 billion of gross output exported.