Employment at companies supported by Enterprise Ireland fell by just over 8,000 this year, according to the state agency's end of year statement.
It said the job losses were coming at firms who were continuing to trade but were reducing staff numbers. The construction and construction-linked sectors accounted for 65% of the job losses, while software, medical devices and internationally traded services added the most jobs.
Enterprise Ireland said it still expected its client companies to show an increase of up to €1 billion in exports this year, describing this as a tribute to their 'tenacity and resilience'.
CEO Frank Ryan said Irish companies should not allow their confidence to be dented, and needed to focus on innovation, quality and value in the coming year. The agency is continuing to target economies such as China, Brazil, the Middle East, Russia and India.
