The IDA created over 12,000 new jobs last year and saw total investment rise to more than €760 million ,its annual report published today indicated.
The Government agency with responsibility for securing overseas investment said 71 new business projects were negotiated with new and existing clients, with 46 of these locating outside Dublin.
The 12,623 new jobs created were offset by job losses of 9,211 giving a net gain of 3,412, the highest gain since 2000.
Some 50 R&D projects were supported involving a total investment in excess of €275 million, a record in number and value and an 85 per cent increase over 2004.
"Continued competitiveness and flexibility in responding to changes in both local and international economic conditions is essential. The pace of development makes further investment in education and R&D critical. Rapid improvement in physical infrastructure is also a pressing need, especially to support regional development," said IDA chairman John Dunne.
Over 50 per cent of the jobs supported in 2005 will require third-level or higher qualifications in a wide range of disciplines, the report says, and close to 40 per cent of all new jobs in IDA-backed projects now earn in excess of €37,000 per annum.
IDA Ireland today also unveiled its new international marketing campaign 'The Irish Mind'. The new international campaign will build on the "Knowledge is in our nature" theme that has been used by IDA in recent years.