Top sectors for new enterprises

SERVICE providers in sectors such as communication and administration are the leading creators of new enterprises, according to the Business Demography 2008 report by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The number of Irish- based information and communication companies grew by 10% in 2008, the most recent period studied. Administration and support service firms were next strongest at 6.6%. Real estate was the weakest sector, accounting for 4.2% of new enterprises.

Overall, the total number of enterprises fell by 4,700 to 203,100 in 2008. Some 11,800 of these were new firms, collectively employing 13,900 people, or an average of 1.2 per enterprise.