The new national minimum wage rate is to take effect on February 1.

A new guide published today will help viable small businesses develop better relationships with banks and access credit to grow and create jobs, according to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD.

UP to €150 million in additional exports will result from the €50m investment at Danone’s baby milk formula plant in Macroom, Co Cork, when the new plant is commissioned in February 2012.

A €17m fund is being launched to encourage new firms to create jobs.

UP to 40 jobs are to be created by Danone Baby Nutrition’s global network following a €50m add-on investment at one of its Irish businesses.

IRISH limited companies can save a collective €29 million by filing annual accounts online by availing of new procedures permitting company directors to sign the documents electronically.

ATLANTIC Bridge (ABVEN), has raised €85 million in funding for technology focused companies.

BUSINESS leaders and community groups in south and east Cork are joining forces to develop a job creation strategy, with a strong focus on green economy opportunities.

IRELAND has positioned itself as an internationally recognised centre of excellence in the pharmaceutical industry, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation said yesterday.

A group of students staged a protest today outside the office of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe, over what they see as the failure to address the problems of high youth unemployment and emigration.

The Union of Students in Ireland staged a demonstration this morning to highlight the level of unemployed graduates.

A global technology firm today announced plans to expand its Dublin headquarters with the creation of 70 jobs.

THE US group ServiceSource is to expand its EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in Dublin creating 70 skilled positions, and bringing total staff to 380.

THE regeneration of Cork’s sprawling docklands remains a government priority, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation insisted yesterday.

DUE to huge job losses as a result of the Dell closure, the EU has given the mid-west special status to attract new industry, it was confirmed yesterday.

A spokesperson for Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O Keeffe has confirmed that the Minister has met Pharmadel, one of the groups behind the proposed development of a Global Pharmaceutical Centre of Excellence in Tralee.

A global software security firm is to hire 20 new workers before the end of the year, it was announced today.

A €360m research investment unveiled by the government today will create almost 2,500 jobs and help drive Ireland's economic recovery, the Taoiseach pledged today.

IDA Ireland could create up to 10,000 jobs this year as overseas investment starts to pick up.

I WAS disappointed at the conclusions drawn by Ivan Yates in his column headlined ‘My mission statement for the future of agriculture in the national interest’ (July 8).

Australian healthcare firm Probiotec Limited is to employ 70 people within three years at its European manufacturing headquarters Dundalk, Co Louth, it was announced today.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O'Keeffe confirmed today that a property tax will not be contained in Brian Lenihan's next Budget speech.

MORE than 19,000 jobs were lost in 2009 in Enterprise Ireland-backed firms while exports fell 10% to €13 billion.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe today announced that business process outsourcing firm Stream is to create 425 high-quality jobs in Dublin over the next 12 months.

Executive search consultancy firm Spencer Stuart is to create 100 high-tech jobs over the next five years.

AN Irish technology company which has developed a website enabling people with skills to connect with those who need them is increasing its own workforce.

INSURANCE giant Zurich is set to boost its Irish workforce to over 1,000 by the end of this year.

IRISH business people have the psychological and cultural qualities that are key factors to gaining competitive advantage, a new study has found.

A NEW €1.7 million 1,000-plus seat stand has been officially opened at Cork Institute of Technology’s (CIT) athletics track.

There is good news on the jobs front today with the annoucement of 100 new jobs at an aircraft maintenance firm at Dublin Airport.

A US internet security firm in Dublin is to create 50 jobs over the next two years, arising out of its decision to establish an international headquarters in Ireland.

THERE are currently three vacancies in the Dáil brought about by resignations. Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher stood down in 2009 after his election to the European Parliament. Earlier this year George Lee of Fine Gael resigned his South Dublin seat in a tizzy and Martin Cullen stepped down from his Waterford seat due to health reasons.

THE Government is confident buyers can be found for the two Pfizer plants which are scheduled to close under new consolidation plans announced by the company this week.

SIPTU and UNITE, the unions which represent workers at the Cadburys plants in Ireland have welcomed assurances from the new owners, Kraft, concerning job security.

AIB will today be the first bank to answer the summons of Enterprise Minister Batt O’Keeffe to discuss the stonewalling loan requests to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Enterprise and Innovation Minister Batt O'Keeffe is to meet top bankers to discuss lending to small and medium- sized businesses.

ALMOST €1 million is being wasted annually on maintaining vacant Enterprise Ireland buildings in Glasnevin, it has emerged.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe announced yesterday that he is to chair a high-level implementation group to deal with the recommendations in the report of the innovation taskforce published in March.

THE executives of unions representing 107,000 public servants have rejected the public service pay and reform deal hammered out in Croke Park two weeks ago.

RECRUITMENT is already under way to fill the first of 300 new jobs announced yesterday by the country’s largest business outsourcing company.

ABOUT 200 jobs will be created with the establishment of an innovative research centre in Dublin.

Around 200 jobs will be created with the establishment of an innovative new research centre in Dublin.