Enterprise Ireland backed companies in the Shannonside Northern Sound region saw record levels of expansion in 2021.
While lockdowns and Covid uncertainty made last year a difficult one for many local businesses, many regional employers saw services grow through an increase in online services.
Nationwide, companies supported by Enterprise Ireland increased net employment by 11,911 in 2021 - the highest jobs gain in a single year.
Closer to home, more than 18,600 jobs were created by EI backed companies in the North East, a five percent increase.
Meanwhile, the increase across the North West was nine percent, with the employment of close to 6,800 people.
Aidan McKenna is the Enterprise Ireland Regional Director for the North East and North West.
He looked back on last year's figures with our reporter Diarmuid Pepper:
