A vibrant enterprise sector is a prerequisite for a strong, advanced economy, and a strong economy in turn provides the foundation for a progressive, sustainable and inclusive society. The enterprise sector provides quality employment which is important for our standard of living and inclusivity.
The enterprise sector is hugely important in driving innovation in this country. An estimated 75% of all Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) expenditure in Ireland is by private enterprises.
Results from the 2019-2020 Business Expenditure on Research and Development survey show that almost €3.26bn was spent on RDI activities by enterprises in Ireland in 2019, an increase of 46% since 2015, the year in which Ireland’s previous research and innovation strategy Innovation 2020 began. These investments have been instrumental in Ireland’s economic recovery and growth in the past decade, and will continue to be of critical importance as we face our current and future challenges.
Productivity is the primary determinant of long-term growth. Investment in knowledge-based capital, and innovation in particular, drives productivity through new, higher value-added products and services, and more efficient business processes. The value of services in the Irish economy exceeds that of manufacturing, and consequently investment in knowledge-based capital is increasingly important for driving future economic growth. This economic reality means that Ireland must be among the top-ranked nations for innovation if it is to realise its potential.
To that end, my department officials and I have worked to continue to foster and develop existing links with the enterprise sector. Public consultation on the new R&I strategy was held in June & July earlier this year. In total, we received over 115 submissions to the online public consultation from a range of stakeholders, including business representation groups, companies, and individuals in the enterprise sector. In June, my Department hosted and I attended an online stakeholder event where a wide range of stakeholders from across Ireland’s R&I system came together to discuss the issues raised in the consultation paper and inform the strategy. My Department has also held a number of targeted meetings with key stakeholders over recent months. Maintaining links with enterprise – both indigenous and FDI– ensures we can keep up to date with domestic needs and global trends.
This year I have held several constructive meetings with industry leaders and enterprise representative groups and will continue to work with them in driving Ireland’s vision to become a Global Innovation Leader. We also closely liaise with our colleagues in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and its agencies to ensure a consistent approach in aiding the enterprise sector to increase its innovative activities.
My Department’s agency SFI has developed a suite of dynamic funding programmes which facilitate industry/academic collaboration. These funding programmes enable companies and academics to work together on specific programmes of research to address industry needs, support technology transfer and grow skills and expertise. Developing its industry facing programmes to deliver significant public/private partnership, increase collaboration, support FDI and engage SMEs in research and innovation across all sectors will continue to be a priority for the agency as it embeds within my Department.
The manufacturing sector is one in which SFI has already made significant investments which involve industry participation. One of those investments is CONFIRM, the SFI Research Centre for Smart Manufacturing. The Centre very recently opened its new, cutting edge headquarters in Limerick. This facility includes a testbed to house Ireland’s future factory demonstrators, an innovative virtual reality cave, 10 Gbps internet access, Ireland’s first private 5G digital manufacturing network and a digital manufacturing lab with 3D printing and non-contact 3D part-scanning facilities. The headquarters will be a space for industry to come together with academic researchers. It is a significant milestone – heightening Ireland’s position as a leader in smart manufacturing.
Other significant investments in the manufacturing area include IFORM, the SFI Research Centre in Advanced Manufacturing. Like CONFIRM, IFORM is a world leading SFI Research Centre with deep industry collaboration and co-investment. IFORM is delivering the next level of understanding and control for complex manufacturing processes. Ireland is already recognised as having one of the most advanced manufacturing sectors in Europe. These, along with other investments by SFI will support Ireland to become the leading digital manufacturing powerhouse globally.
Access to highly skilled graduates is a critical success factor for businesses in Ireland. SFI has established six SFI Centres for Research Training. These Centres will support advanced skills and training (PhDs) in collaboration with industry, for the new economy. The six current SFI Centres for Research Training support over 700 PhD students in ICT and Data Analytics. Future skills can be addressed through further development of this programme in other areas, including Innovation in Business Services and Advanced Manufacturing.
