Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/Carlow East, Andrew Doyle has welcomed the announcement by Enterprise Ireland that Irish companies had a record year in 2014. This included a 27% increase in companies being formed in Wicklow.
“From a cross section of reports and statistical analysis, 2014 figures measured year on year from job creation to our export performance has proven that our Government’s action plans and policies have created the foundation for real and present stabile recovery. Earlier this week, Enterprise Ireland announced that there was an increase of 8,476 in Irish companies supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
“Last year was the fifth consecutive year of growth for Irish food and drink exports, achieving results of €10.5 billion, according to An Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report 2014. This represents a growth of 45% since 2009.
“This has all been achieved against a backdrop of global recession. At the heart of this performance is the Action Plan for Jobs which provided the mechanism for 488 new company formations in Wicklow this year, an increase of 27% form 2013 and a continued drop in unemployment for the last 30 consecutive months.
“In addition, for the second year in a row, Ireland is set to be the fastest growing economy in the European Union with a further 4% predicted growth in the coming year, according to Goodbody Economics report on the Irish economy. It is very encouraging to see the indicators pointing towards a stable environment for growth, making it imperative to continue on this positive trajectory.”