Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

In 2000, 14,000 extra jobs were created. In 2001 and 2002, there was a fall-off of approximately 4,600. In 2003, the reduction stood at 3,630. In 2004 there was an increase of 197 and of approximately 4,300 in 2005. Multinational companies made regional locations their preference. Out of the total of 71 investments, 46 were located outside of Dublin. Some 50 research and development investment projects were supported by IDA Ireland, involving a total investment in excess of €260 million, a record in number and value and an 85% increase in value from 2004. Last year was the best since 2000 in terms of the range of quality of new investment and in the development of research capability and capacity. Approximately 40% of all new jobs in IDA Ireland backed projects earn in excess of €37,000 per annum.

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