Our latest figures show that 5,034 Irish companies were set-up between the 1st January and 10th April 2014 - an average of 50 start-ups per day - this is up almost 20% on the same period last year (4,209).

This year's figure for company start-ups is the highest that's been recorded in Ireland since 2007 when 5,296 companies were formed and is the fourth highest we've had since the millennium, 14 years ago.

The most popular industry for company start-ups was the professional services sector which accounted for 25% of new companies.

The wholesale & retail and social and personal sectors are the next most popular industries and make up 11% and 8% of start-ups respectively. IT and construction complete the top 5 industries and between them these 5 sectors make up 60% of all company start-ups recorded this year.