A record 23,300 new jobs were created in IDA supported companies during the past year, according to the agency's annual statement.
This beat the previous mark of 17,800 new jobs in 1999 and brings the total in full time employment in IDA companies to 139,890.
Of this, almost 29,500 are employed in the Objective One regions - the Border, Midlands and West.
8,100 jobs were lost, but the IDA says this was in line with expectations and reflected a general decline in lower skilled jobs.
40% all jobs negotiated during 2000 across all IDA backed projects were in salary ranges above £25,000 per annum. Irish economy expenditures of IDA backed companies rose by over £1.2 billion in 2000
IDA Ireland chief executive Sean Dorgan warned that its focus on regional development would still take some time to deliver results, adding that key infrastructural deficits must be addressed quickly.
