IDA Ireland has reported a 19 per cent jump in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first half of 2011, and announced 300 new jobs for the sector.

Speaking at the IDA's mid-year briefing, Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton announced that San Diego-based life sciences company Sangart is to create 120 jobs at a new manufacturing facility to be built at Carrigtwohill in Cork. Some 125 people will also be employed during the construction of the facility.

Another 120 jobs are to be generated by Belgian software provider BSB.These positions will be based in Dublin.

An additional 13 roles will be created in Dublin with Dutch financial services company Wolters Kluwer.

International health insurance provider Allianz Worldwide Care also announced plans today to add 50 more employees to its Irish staff. These new positions will be based in Dublin's Citywest, and will be in areas such as customer service, IT, nurse advisers, finance, marketing and claims.

IDA Ireland said that 75 new investments were won in the first six months of the year, with 28 of these investments made by companies setting up in Ireland for the first time.

IDA chief executive Barry O'Leary said that in addition to top-level multinationals, the IDA is now targeting mid-tier and emerging companies.