The value of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ireland fell in 2018 but it remained at one of the highest levels in the European Union.
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that Ireland's stock of FDI fell from €882 billion in 2017 to €874 billion in 2018. That is equal to 270% of GDP compared to an EU average of 56%.
The numbers employed at foreign owned companies has grown by 28% since 2012 to 383,000 in 2018.
Average wages in foreign owned companies were €54,000 a year compared to €37,000 in domestic companies.
Wages in scientific and technical skills in foreign companies rose by 69% in the years from 2012 to 2018. Workers in ICT saw rises of 29% while those in administration and support services saw their wages grow by 25%.
The US was the largest investor into Ireland accounting for over two thirds of total FDI. Bermuda was found to be the third largest country of origin for inward investment.
The biggest percentage increase since 2012 came from Asian countries.
Dublin dominates as a location for FDI and the CSO found that Dublin accounts for 38% of FDI employment, while Cork is next with 13%.
Foreign Direct Investment is also highly concentrated. The top 25 FDI companies account for 70% of investment.
In addition, 36% of the investment from FDI into Ireland passes through here en-route to subsidiaries in other countries. This, the CSO noted, highlights how Ireland is a "highly globalised economy".
