Employment levels in firms supported by Government agencies hit a new record high last year, despite the challenging economic backdrop and retrenchment in the tech sector.
In total there were 535,604 roles in businesses here that were clients of either Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland or Údarás na Gaeltachta.
That represents an increase of 0.8% on the figure in 2022, the Department of Enterprise said in its Annual Employment Survey.
Employment in foreign direct investment companies did decrease, however, by 0.2%, with the number of jobs falling by 601.
At firms that are Irish-owned, meanwhile, employment rose by 2.1%, an increase of 4,634 on the 2022 figure.
The sector where the rate of increase was largest at indigenous businesses was energy, water, waste and construction which gained 1,262 jobs.
Among foreign owned firms chemicals and medical devices recorded the biggest increase, with 1,472 new jobs.
A second piece of research also released by the department shows there was strong growth in sales, exports, value added and direct expenditures in the Irish economy for both Irish and foreign-owned companies in 2022.
The annual Business Survey of Economic Impact found total sales amounted to €465.8 billion that year, an increase of 12.5% in current prices on the previous year's figure of €414.1 billion.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney said the results of the two surveys show the resilience of industry in Ireland and despite the challenges posed by the global downturn in the IT sector, inflation and the war in Ukraine, employment in companies supported by the Government is at a new record high.
"In 2023, employment growth in Irish owned firms and in the foreign owned Chemicals and Medical Devices sectors have offset the losses in the IT sector. Sales and exports continue to grow strongly, and these companies purchase goods and services in the local economy," he added.
