Growing number of entrepreneurs

The GEM report is supported by Enterprise Ireland, Forfás and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. The authors of the report are Paula Fitzsimons of Fitzsimons Consulting, who is the National GEM Co-ordinator, and Dr Colm O'Gorman, Professor of Entrepreneurship, DCU Business School.

Findings of the 2013 research show that the rate of early stage entrepreneurial activity is at its highest since the onset of the economic crisis. The pipeline of future entrepreneurs also looks very strong as those indicating that they intend to start a business in the next three years increased significantly and is now at its highest level since Ireland first became involved in GEM research in 2000.

Minister Bruton comments: "As I have said before, we have great entrepreneurs in Ireland - we just don't have enough of them. Start-up businesses account for around two thirds of new jobs created in Ireland. That is why we in Government, through the Action Plan for Jobs, have put in place measures to support more start-up activity – for example the establishment of the Local Enterprise Offices and the new county-based competition to find Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur.

"Today's GEM report is a very welcome addition to the available data in this area. It confirms what we have been seeing across the country in recent years - that people are becoming more open to considering starting a business as a career option. I am determined to ensure that we in Government continue implementing the changes necessary to support more start-ups – and ultimately to create the jobs we need".

"As a Government we stated a clear ambition for Ireland to be among the most entrepreneurial nations in the world and acknowledged as a world class environment in which to start and grow a business. The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 has a special focus on entrepreneurship. We have set down concrete measures with the objective of further improving the ecosystem to support greater levels of entrepreneurship and start-ups. I intend to further build on this in the National Strategy on Entrepreneurship, which I will publish in the autumn."

The 2013 Report also examines the gender aspect of entrepreneurial activity in Ireland. Minister Bruton welcomed the further narrowing of the gender gap. There are now 1.4 times as many men as women who are new business owners. "I am delighted to see that men and women in increasing numbers are becoming new business owners. The challenge is to ensure that their new businesses are sustainable and can compete with the best in the world both on home and export markets. That is the only basis on which they can grow and create much needed employment."

Commenting on the report Tom Hayes, head of Micro Enterprise and Small Business at Enterprise Ireland said: "The GEM report indicates that Irish early stage entrepreneurs have a stronger focus on international markets and exporting than their OCED and EU counterparts. This focus of entrepreneurs on developing innovative products and services for export is essential for growth and economic recovery."

Declan Hughes, head of the Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Policy Division, Forfás, said: "It is encouraging to see positive trends in entrepreneurship and to see ambitious plans for job creation. There is a need to continue to improve the perceived attractiveness of entrepreneurship as a career option and to ensure that entrepreneurs can access necessary sources of finance."