Enda Kenny has said he feels sorry for people who leave Ireland.

The Taoiseach was speaking at an announcement of 450 new jobs to be based in Dundalk.

He says the government Action Plan for Jobs has been designed to make it easier to do business in this country.

In a recent Morgan McKinley salary survey, only 9% of employers were concerned that emigration would be a challenge to sourcing talent.

It also says that 55% of hiring managers in the permanent market will be recruiting new employees this year.

'Emigration part of Irish DNA'

Last October, figures released from the 2011 Census found that there were 241,221 Irish nationals born outside the State - perhaps as a sign of increased emigration.

The vast majority (178,945) were born in the UK, followed by the USA (16,703), Australia (3,220), Canada (2,524) and South Africa (2,440).

Speaking in Dublin Mr. Kenny said that while the economy faces challenges, he hopes more people will choose to stay.