The IDA has announced that last year was its best year for job creation in a decade, with a total of 13,000 jobs created.
However, there were almost 7,000 jobs lost - which means the net number of jobs created was just over 6,000.
That figure is impressive by the standards of recent years when number of net jobs had been in negative territory in some years.
"These results represent a very significant achievement at a very difficult time in the employment market," said Minister Richard Bruton.
"Not only has the number of new jobs increased substantially, but just as importantly the number of jobs lost has decreased."
The IDA said 61 new companies invested in Ireland in 2011, up 30% on 2010 .
The end of year report also said over 70% of Irish exports last year - €115 billion - were from IDA backed firms.
It also highlighted a recent study which found that almost half - 47% - of the jobs created last year required science and technology skills, such as computer programming and software development.
This compared to just 19% business and finance skills and 14% for manufacturing related skills.
