Nineteen Irish-owned companies plan to create 851 jobs this year, representing a total investment of £48 million. Most of the jobs will be created through expansions of existing businesses.

The companies, which are based throughout the Republic, are mainly in the engineering, electronics, healthcare, biotechnology and software sectors, which employ people with a wide range of skills.

Announcing the new jobs yesterday, the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, said the scale of job creation within the indigenous sector is clear evidence of the huge contribution it is making to local and national economic growth.

"They are the backbone of strong job creation up and down the country." Almost half of the new jobs are to be created in 10 companies in the Dublin region. A further 105 will be in Galway, 92 in Waterford, 79 in Westmeath, 46 in Offaly, 40 in Longford, 20 in Monaghan, 16 in Meath and 12 in Donegal.

The Tanaiste said the spread of jobs over eight counties was a most encouraging sign of the enterprise dynamic now prevalent in all regions.

The biggest jobs announcement was at the Dublin-based computer storage products manufacturer, Eurologic, which is to increase its workforce from 79 to 189 over the next two years. This expansion is being backed by a £12.3 million investment from Forbairt, which includes a commitment of £6.7 million for research and development in product innovation and enhancement.

Another 100 jobs are to come on stream at Connaught Electronics, which manufactures automotive electronic products in Tuam, Co Galway and Trinity Biotech, in Sandyford, Dublin. Trinity Biotech, the company which develops and manufactures diagnostic testing kits for infectious diseases, is to take on 100 highly-skilled graduates. In Waterford, Techniform, the sheet metal fabrication company, is to create a further 92 jobs, expanding its workforce to 138.