Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013
319. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he plans to take in 2013 to deliver a national step change initiative for Irish manufacturing with particular reference to assisting in the growth or establishment of indigenous sub-supply companies in sectors such as the medical devices industry. [23060/13]
View answerDelivering a National Step Change Initiative for the Manufacturing sector is a key recommendation in the Government's new Manufacturing Strategy, developed by Forfás, and which I helped to launch recently. The proposed National Step Change Initiative is intended to position Ireland's Manufacturing Sector for growth and will involve actions at both the level of the firm and also in terms of enhancing the wider business environment. Specifically, it is envisaged that work will be undertaken on enhancing productivity; strengthening the international reach of companies; strengthening innovative capabilities and developing connections (including enhancing sub-supply opportunities); and strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration. A wide range of actions to drive this Step Change are recommended in the Strategy and these involve initiatives by the Development Agencies and other bodies. Key Actions have been incorporated into the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs 2013, with specific timelines for delivery. My Department will be to the fore in driving the actions and we will be assisted by the Manufacturing Development Forum, which provided valuable advice and insights into the development of the Strategy and which will continue to assist the process. In relation to the medical devices industry, which has a thriving indigenous base, in addition to the multinational companies located here, I am very conscious that sub-supply opportunities in that sector represent a significant benefit to be pursued. I would also like to record, that in addition to developing the Manufacturing Strategy, the Government have also initiated research on the specific skills needs of the Manufacturing Sector up to 2020, and this work was completed recently by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and Forfás. That report identifies what needs to be done regarding training and skills development for the sector. A wide range of recommendations are made and work is already underway to address some of the recommendations in that report. I am confident that all these ambitious actions will be pursued by the relevant parties and we will succeed in reinvigorating the Manufacturing Sector in Ireland and enhance its job creation potential in the years ahead.
