Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2018
51. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which innovation remains central in her plans to expand the manufacturing and services sectors to the highest extent possible mindful of the competition and with the objective of increasing opportunities for Irish interests on EU and world markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6008/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which the reliance on technology remains an integral part of business and enterprise expansion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6350/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she and her Department have identified the extent to which science and technology will remain an integral part of business promotion and job creation in the short and medium term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6352/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which her Department engages with the manufacturing and services sectors to maximise the ability to compete through the use of technology and leadership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6355/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 164, 166 and 169 together.
Innovation is a cornerstone of Ireland’s overall economic development policy. It is key to maintaining competitiveness for Ireland in global markets, and for providing jobs and sustainable growth in our economy.
Supporting innovation is therefore a key pillar of Ireland’s enterprise and innovation policy. Innovation 2020, Ireland’s cross-governmental strategy for Research and Development, Science and Technology, is based on a shared vision of Ireland becoming a Global Innovation Leader, driving a strong, sustainable, high employment economy and a better society.
The Strategy aims to build on the significant successes to date which have seen Ireland dramatically improve its innovation performance globally. Goals include:
- a strong, innovative and internationally competitive enterprise base, growing employment, sales and exports;
- a coherent, joined-up innovation ecosystem, responsive to emerging opportunities, delivering enhanced impact through the creation and application of knowledge; and
- an internationally competitive research system that acts as a magnet and catalyst for talent and industry.
The Innovation 2020 strategy also recognises the importance of the manufacturing and services sectors to Ireland’s economy and the need to further develop the national ecosystem of research and technology centres in key areas including that of manufacturing.
The 2nd Progress Report on the implementation of Innovation 2020 has been agreed by a cross-Departmental Implementation Group and outlines the advances made on strategic actions in the period to end June 2017.
Highlights include:
- Four new Science Foundation Ireland Research Centres announced
- A new Enterprise Ireland/IDA Ireland Meat Technology Centre launched;
- Three new Technology Gateways added to the national network;
- €424m secured under Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for R and D; and
- The launch by Knowledge Transfer Ireland of a further Technology Transfer Strengthening Initiative to further embed knowledge transfer within the public research system.
Significant investments are also being made in Manufacturing Research and Innovation, through Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.
Two of the four new SFI Research Centres established have a specific manufacturing focus. The SFI CONFIRM Centre will focus on smart manufacturing involving convergence of IT and industrial automation systems; while the SFI I-FORM Centre will concentrate on additive manufacturing.
Last year also saw the official launch of the Enterprise Ireland/IDA Ireland Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) Technology Centre. IMR is a one-stop-shop where manufacturing companies - both multinational and indigenous - can collaborate to solve big manufacturing challenges in partnership with the researchers in Ireland and the EU.
Separately, under my Department’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund allocations which were announced at the end of last year, we have made a further investment in the IMR Centre, in Mullingar, to ensure we can stay at the forefront of new 3D and additive manufacturing innovation.
The IMR Centre is a member of EARTO (the European Association of Research Technology Organisations) and is currently leading several European advanced manufacturing initiatives. The Centre is also a key contact point for Irish companies seeking to connect with European manufacturing research for knowledge, expertise and project funding opportunities. To date the IMR Centre has assisted companies connect and win projects and funding in a range of European mechanisms and networks.
