Almost 4,000 new company and business start-ups formed in November, according to new figures from business and credit risk analyst Vision-net.ie.

This represents a 21 per cent increase on the same month last year, with Dublin, Cork and Kildare the three most popular locations for start-ups. The figures show professional services; social and personal services; and wholesale and retail were the three most popular sectors for new start-ups.

Vision-net managing director Christine Cullen said the significant increase in start-ups in areas such as retail and social and personal services was very encouraging.

“The growth in start-ups in these sectors point to expected increases in disposable income in the period ahead and a greater willingness amongst consumers to spend.”

Marc O'Dwyer, chief executive of accounting software company Big Red Cloud, said the figures released by Vision-net mirror his own company's experience on the ground.

“Dealing with start-up businesses daily we have witnessed a marked change in the sentiment of business owners and a general increase in confidence across the board.”

He said Ireland has experienced a steady increase from a low of 13,321 in 2009 to 17,782 last year.

“It looks like we are on a par to match the great growth in company registrations we witnessed in 2014 - which demonstrates it was not a flash in the pan,” he added.