IRELAND’S EXPORT HAVE reached a record high according to the latest report from Enterprise Ireland.

The report for 2011 shows that firms achieved levels of exports of €15.2 billion last year, which exceeded pre-recession levels. It represents a 12 per cent increase on 2010 export levels.

The construction/engineering and consumer sectors saw the largest export growth at 19 per cent, followed by software and public sector at 12 per cent.

Employment levels stabilised with the number of full time employees at 141,228 while Enterprise Ireland created over 9,000 new jobs last year and job losses were down on previous years.

The largest allocation of Enterprise Ireland funds went to enterprise development, which received €197 million of a €336 million pie.

Image: Enterprise Ireland

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton welcomed news of stabilising employment and said that that these achievements must be built on this year, and that the Action Plan for Jobs must be rigorously implemented.

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