More than 19,000 jobs created by Enterprise Ireland companies in 2017

Julie Sinnamon

Colm Kelpie

More than 19,000 jobs were created in Enterprise Ireland-backed companies last year.

The agency said 209, 338 people are now employed in companies it supports - a record high.

There was a net jobs increase of 10,309, taking account of job losses.

Job creation figures are up on 2016.

Two thirds of the 19,332 new jobs were outside of Dublin.

The agency also announced a Market Discovery Fund to support firms to diversify into new markets in the context of Brexit.

There are three levels of funding available: up to €35,000, up to €75,000 and up to €150,000.