So far this year 6,666 company start-ups have been incorporated in the Republic of Ireland - an average of 49 per day.

This figure represents a 16% increase on the same period in 2013 (5,769) and is the highest we've seen, for start-ups, since 2007 when 7,334 were formed.

Almost a quarter of start-ups this year (1,628) are operating in the professional services sector. That figure is up almost 18% on last year when 1,384 were set-up during the same period.

The wholesale & retail, social & personal service and I.T. sectors are the next most popular industries this year and account for over 30% of start-ups between them.

Almost 8% (509) of start-ups are operating in the fifth most popular sector - construction. This figure is up 43% on the same period in 2013 when just 355 companies in that industry were formed.