2nd July 2010: US firms in Ireland have 1,250 job vacancies

US companies in Ireland are currently recruiting and have more than 1,250 job vacancies open, according to a new survey from the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland.

One-hundred US multinationals operating in Ireland responded to the American Chamber survey, with 72pc saying they will be recruiting staff this year. Some 68pc of respondents are currently recruiting to fill 1,250 vacant positions in roles such as engineering, R&D, production, finance and office administration.

Publishing the results of the survey at the Chamber’s Annual Independence Day Lunch today, President of the Chamber Lionel Alexander said: “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.”

Alexander 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 R&D, which further embeds Ireland within the global corporation,” he added.

“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.”

Ireland has become more competitive
Respondents to the Chamber’s survey also said Ireland has become more competitive in the current recession - 82pc said they believed Ireland has become more competitive, with 81pc noticing a reduction in the cost of doing business in Ireland. Labour, energy and transport costs have all reduced, according to the survey’s respondents.

Alexander 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,” Alexander added.

According to IDA Ireland, today almost 100,000 people are directly employed in over 600 US firms in Ireland, accounting for 70pc of all IDA-supported employment.

Source – businessandleadership.com