Around 90 jobs are to be created in Waterford in two investments worth €5 million in total.

The announcement will be welcomed by the Government, which endured widespread criticism last week when the unemployment rate recorded the highest month-on-month increase for 16 years.

ABB Transformers, a supplier of power and automation technologies, will expand its Waterford city workforce by 70 in a €4 million expansion, while German paint maker BioPin plans 20 new positions at its Dungarvan facility over the next five years.

The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, said the Republic continues to prove attractive to investors. "The winning of these new investments from companies who are leaders in their business, at a time of difficult global economic conditions, further confirms Ireland's position as a leading location for high-quality international investments.

"This €4 million investment by ABB is in line with the Government's and IDA Ireland's strategy of assisting existing Irish operations of overseas companies to win further higher-value projects from their parent company. This adds to the sustainability of the Irish operation, provides it with new opportunities and enhances its position within the parent's global operations.

"The investment will provide substantial new opportunities for the Irish company and is a significant vote of confidence by ABB in its Waterford facility and an endorsement of the abilities of its management and workforce."

IDA Ireland has agreed to sell a five-acre site at its Dungarvan business park to BioPin to facilitate its €1 million expansion.

Live register figures last week showed that more people joined the dole queue in June than at any point since the end of 1986.