Ten Irish engineering companies supported by Enterprise Ireland have received investment totalling £27.5 million (€34.9 million) creating 271 jobs.

A further £1 million has been provided to a further six companies under the agency's research, technology and innovation programme.

Announcing the investment the Tβnaiste, Ms Harney said she was pleased with the broad regional spread of the jobs created. "The mechanical engineering sector is extremely important in a regional context. Sixty-five per cent of all companies in the sector are outside Dublin and its immediate catchment area.

"This puts the sector almost on a par with the food sector in terms of the proportion of direct employment located in the regions. The importance of the sector is further outlined by the fact that sales to date are just under £1 billion, exports exceed £307 million, and employment exceeds 13,000 in over 350 companies."

Ms Harney said Enterprise Ireland is developing a strategy to increase export-led sales, increase productivity and substantially improvement competitiveness.

"It is essential that companies invest in permanent research and development and design facilities as well as in marketing," Ms Harney said.

The 10 engineering companies are: Mulmuf Ltd, which manufactures exhaust systems in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo; Kent Stainless (Wexford) Ltd, which produces stainless steel drainage products and machinery; Burnside Autocyl Ltd, which manufactures hydraulic cylinders and rams in Tullow, Co Carlow; Richard Keenan & Co Ltd, which manufactures animal feed systems in Borris, Co Carlow; Aisle Master Ltd, which manufactures forklift trucks in Clontibret, Co Monaghan; Cork Plastics (Manufacturing) Ltd, which manufactures plastic components in Little Island, Cork; Burnside Eurocyl Ltd, which manufactures hydraulic cylinders and rams in Carlow; Suretank Ltd, which manufactures steel tanks for the exploration and transport sectors in Co Louth; Sanritsu Mobilon Ltd, which will produce manually propelled mobile work networks in Waterford, and IT Image (Ireland) Ltd, which will manufacture compatible laser and ink jet printer cartridges, in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.