The ConnectIreland initiative will create at least 300 jobs this year, the serial entrepreneur behind the project, Terry Clune, told Cork Chamber’s breakfast briefing.

The Government’s innovative referral programme, ConnectIreland, has projects that could generate up to 800 jobs in Ireland by 2015.

A Government-backed scheme to use the Irish diaspora to attract investment from overseas companies has yielded its first success, with 30 jobs lined up for Carlow.

The first jobs on the Government's scheme to pay up to €1,500 'finders fee' for each position created here are being announced today.

Independent enterprise body Connect Ireland said it has detected significant investment interest in Ireland from China, Brazil, Russia, and India (BRIC).

Recent inward investment contracts signed by some of the world’s largest corporations should create up to 1,500 construction jobs over the next couple of years, IDA Ireland has claimed.

A taskforce that offers a cash reward to people who persuade foreign companies to create jobs in Ireland is in talks with up to 50 potential investors.

Jobs and Innovation minister Richard Bruton has said the IDA needs to be more focussed on local areas when it comes to job creation, to get a regional spread of new employment.

The Government is to offer money to individuals all over the world who convince foreign companies to invest in Ireland.

The Government has unveiled plans to pay up to €1,500 per job in a finder's fee to people who bring new investors to Ireland.

DENIS O’BRIEN and Dermot Desmond are among those investing in a Facebook-type website targeting the 70 million “Irish” worldwide.

BUSINESSPEOPLE are coming together to encourage entrepreneurs to follow their dream and start their own business in a unique competition worth €25,000.

KILKENNY business and local authority leaders have pooled their resources to promote the south-east to potential investors.