Enterprise Ireland says its clients created over 18,000 jobs last year.

The agency's end-of-year statement says its companies created a net total of almost 5,500 jobs in 2013.

The figures mean that over 175,000 people are now employed by Irish companies, supported by the State's investment agency.

CEO Julie Sinnamon says the jobs aren't just in major cities but spread nationwide:

Meanwhile, jobs figure for the North show the rate of job creation there was at its highest since August 2007 last month.

December data from the Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland shows further solid expansion of business activity in the private sector in Northern Ireland, linked to a strong rise in new orders.

Business recorded a general pick-up in the second half of 2013 and as a result, it is the first year of growth in employment, new orders and business output in six years.

Overall, Northern Ireland's economy is estimated to have grown by at least 1% last year. It is predicted it will grow at least 1.5% this year.