Julie Sinnamon CEO of Enterprise Ireland at their HQ at East Point Business Park. Pic. Steve Humphreys

Enterprise Ireland backed companies created 19,705 new jobs last year. =

That resulted in a net increase of 8,476 in the number of people employed by EI supported companies, the highest net gain in the agency's history.

Companies also reported the lowest level of job losses since 2000.

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said the figures were a huge boost.

"This is the best performance in the history of the agency, and great credit is owed to Julie Sinnamon and her staff for this excellent performance."

Online Editors