IDA Ireland said today that 2005 was the best year for job creation since 2000.
There was a net gain of 4,296 new positions among the companies it supports. The figure is up 3% on 2004.
12,605 jobs were created but there were 8,309 losses, resulting in a net gain of 4,296.
71 new projects were agreed, among them 100 new jobs at Microsoft's research and development centre in Sandyford in Dublin. Other major projects included Google, Wyeth and financial firms like BISYS in Waterford, IFS in Drogheda, Axa in Athlone and PFPC in Wexford and Navan.
'We are also confident about the prospects for 2006 as the volume and quality of new business in our pipeline is as strong as it has been at any stage in recent years,' said chief executive Sean Dorgan.
