Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland are both enterprise development agencies operating under the aegis of my Department. Enterprise Ireland (EI) is the agency responsible for the development and promotion of the Irish business sector and its focus is on the growth of world-class Irish companies to achieve strong positions in global markets. On the other hand, IDA Ireland’s focus is on attracting foreign direct investment that is value added, requires high skill levels and a sophisticated business environment to maximize their business potential.
Job creation and retention is central to all activities undertaken by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. In this context, of course, it is the case that the agencies share similar objectives in the development of the enterprise base and the business-environment in Ireland. This includes joint work on the growth of new and existing business sectors in Ireland, the support of collaborative R&D among and between Irish-owned companies and multinationals based here, the facilitation of networks and clusters which enhance enterprises’ ability to innovate, partner and source with each other, and a range of other on-going activities.
It is my belief that an increased level of collaboration between the agencies can assist Irish owned business grow, while developing and deepening the impact of foreign direct investment and under the Action Plan for Jobs 2012, I established an Enterprise Ireland/IDA Ireland Senior Management Team, comprising representatives from both organisations, to drive effective collaboration in these areas
Among the key initiatives being jointly undertaken by EI and IDA are:
- Undertaking a Global Sourcing Initiative targeted at maximising the procurement opportunities for Irish business with foreign owned companies based in Ireland. This undertaking involved an in-depth strategic assessment of the opportunities presented by Global Sourcing, and the development of a joint agency strategy to outline the core actions required by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to advance this agenda. This Strategy has now been agreed and identified opportunities progressed by both agencies.
- Collaborating on the Technology Centres initiative which sees Irish and foreign owned companies work together on agreed research programmes. Developing of a joint-agency sectoral approach for the support of selected growth sectors in Ireland (including the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and the MedTech Sectors).
- Driving effective collaboration between respective teams in Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland working on the overseas entrepreneurs and emerging businesses agenda.
- In addition, both agencies co-operate in the running of joint Trade and Investment Missions abroad and a majority of Enterprise Ireland’s and IDA Ireland’s overseas offices are co-located.
I am satisfied with the level of co-operation between both agencies and there are no plans to merge the two agencies.
