American Chamber Survey shows US companies continuing to create jobs and invest in Ireland US companies in Ireland are recruiting and have more than 1,250 job vacancies according to a new survey from the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland.
100 companies responded to the American Chamber survey, with 72 per cent saying they will be recruiting staff this year.
The outlook for the Mid West is particularly positive with 50 per cent of respondents currently recruiting jobs in areas such as Engineering, R&D and Finance. There are currently 110 multinational companies in the area employing 10,000 people.
Speaking on the results of the survey as the Chamber celebrated Independence Day Mr Bill Doherty, Chair of the Chamber’s Mid Western region; “The presence of US multinational companies has helped shield Ireland from the ravages of the recession. While it is encouraging that the latest data from the CSO showed economic growth returning to Ireland it will take time for this to translate into an increase in jobs. In this context that US companies are continuing to create employment in Ireland is all the more welcome”.
Mr Doherty, who is also Executive Vice President of Cook Medical, said that since the beginning of this year 23 US companies have announced major investment in Ireland, which will result in over 2,000 new jobs in the coming years. “More than 10 of these investments have been in research and development. Just last week Analogue Devices announced a €23 million R&D project for Limerick which is a great boost to the region. At a time when competition for FDI has never been greater, continued investment and the new jobs created by US multinationals is very welcome”.
“The success of Ireland in attracting this investment can get lost in the continuous doom and gloom stories we hear every day on our radio stations, on our television screens and in our newspapers. So it is important that we recognise the success of these companies in winning this investment and jobs for Ireland and that we congratulate IDA Ireland and the Government for their role in securing this investment”, he said.
Respondents to the survey also said that Ireland has become more competitive in the current recession. 82 per cent believe Ireland has become more competitive, with 81 per cent noticing a reduction in the cost of doing business in Ireland. Labour, energy and transport costs have all reduced according to respondents of our survey.
Mr Doherty cautioned that while any reduction in the cost of doing business is welcome, the cost improvements are ”cyclical in nature, arising from the recession, as opposed to structural improvements which will deliver sustained cost reductions. This is the real challenge for Ireland – maintaining these cost improvements as the country once again returns to growth. We cannot allow a return to the excesses we witnessed during the boom times or we will lose these very important competitive gains”, he said.
“While much still needs to be done – on the education front, on investment in infrastructure and in the delivery of the smart economy, the strong message which we can take away from this survey and from the levels of investment secured by US companies in Ireland this year is that Ireland remains a location of choice for US companies and that these companies are confident of Ireland’s ability to emerge from the current recession”, he said.
Pictured: US companies in Ireland are recruiting and have more than 1,000 job vacancies according to a new survey from the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland. 100 companies responded to the American Chamber survey, with 72 percent saying they will be recruiting staff this year. 68 percent of respondents are currently recruiting to fill 1,250 vacant positions in roles such as engineering, R&D, production, finance and office administration. Bill Doherty, (centre) is chair of the Chamber’s Mid Western region.
