Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney has welcomed the latest update from the Department of Enterprise, which highlights a notable increase in employment among Enterprise Ireland (EI) client companies in County Clare.
According to the Department’s response to Deputy Cooney’s parliamentary question, employment in EI-supported businesses in Clare has grown by 366 jobs in the past year alone — a substantial 7% increase — bringing total employment to 5,566 people.
Deputy Cooney commented, “In light of the recent introduction of a 15% tariff on goods imported from the EU to the USA, Enterprise Ireland’s investment in the Mid-West is more crucial than ever, helping local companies innovate, diversify export markets, and remain competitive on the global stage.”
He continued, “This significant rise in jobs within Enterprise Ireland client companies is a clear sign that Clare’s economy is growing stronger than ever. The addition of 366 new jobs in just one year shows that our local businesses are not only surviving but thriving, expanding their workforce and boosting the local economy.”
“Enterprise Ireland’s focused strategy to promote innovation, scale-up companies, and connect businesses with new markets is clearly delivering results here in Clare,” added Deputy Cooney. “One standout example is Vitalograph, a leading medtech company, which is creating 200 new jobs through its major expansion at Clare Technology Park and in Limerick. This investment highlights how EI’s support is helping Clare become a hub for cutting-edge industries.”
Deputy Cooney also praised the ongoing work of the Local Enterprise Office Clare, which last year received €1,368,490 in funding — an increase on both previous years — supporting 228 small businesses and helping to sustain over 1,300 jobs through direct grants and development programmes.
The response further underlines the strength of the region’s foreign direct investment, with IDA Ireland client companies employing over 6,000 people in Clare, contributing to the Mid-West region’s impressive 20% growth in FDI employment over the past five years.
