JOB prospects for most Irish students are "extremely bright" with the best opportunities in the private sector, according to a senior ESRI research officer yesterday. Mr Terry Baker was speaking before the presentation of the annual Hewlett Packard award given to the most innovative project submitted by an Irish undergraduate.

Mr Baker said Irish economic growth is exceptionally rapid by international standards and the pattern of growth favoured the better educated. The winners of this year's award were Mr Colin Brick and Mr Ian Boylan of University College Cork.