IDA Ireland today issued a bullish assessment of 2007 despite a drop of almost 2,000 jobs created in target sectors compared to the previous year.
In an end-of-year statement, the recently appointed IDA CEO, Barry O'Leary said there was a "healthy pipeline" of prospective new projects and that he was confident the IDA would secure new projects, investments, R&D operations and some broader research collaborations for Ireland in 2008.
He said last year, the IDA had secured 114 new investments, a quarter of which were new companies, and 40 per cent of which were R&D investments.
These investments led to the creation of 9,200 new jobs. However, this was some 2,000 fewer than in 2006. Of the new jobs created, almost two-thirds (or 64 per cent) were located outside Dublin.
"Ireland is very well positioned to win further leading foreign direct investment in 2008," Mr O'Leary said, adding that the agency would continue to target the pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, international services, and financial services."
IDA-supported companies paid €3 billion in corporate tax last year, accounting for 47 per cent of the total corporate tax take of €6.7 billion.
These companies employ over 136,000 people, accounting for 42 per cent of industrial and financial employment.