The Tánaiste and Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment, Ms Harney, this morning announced plans by two Waterford companies to create 90 new jobs in the region.
Ms Harney said ABB Transformers was planning to expand its current facility in Waterford, while paint manufacturer Biopin is to establish a new facility at Dungarvan business park.
The two investments are worth a total of €5 million and, according to Ms Harney, "confirms Ireland's position as a leading location for high quality international investment".
The announcement comes on the same day Ms Harney told RTÉ radio that job creation was a key priority for the next budget.
She ruled out tax rises in both the PAYE and corporate sector to pay for public spending, saying it would worsen the job situation.
She said Ireland remains an attractive location for overseas investment and that despite the recent spate of job losses, unemployment is the lowest in the EU.
"It's important that we don't talk ourselves down into a recession," she said.