Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018
302. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the Digital Transformation: Assessing the Impact of Digitalisation on Ireland’s Workforce study, by the expert group on future skills needs; her plans to implement proposals set out on the adoption of digital technologies in each of the years 2018 to 2023; and the timetable for implementation for such actions. [52832/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the publication of the ‘Digital Transformation: Assessing the Impact of Digitalisation on Ireland’s Workforce’ study as published by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) on December 7th 2018. The study is a welcome and important contribution to our understanding of digitalisation and its growing influence on Ireland’s economy. The study provides key insights on the impacts that the adoption of digital technologies will have on workers in Ireland by sector, occupation and region and provides policy-makers with a good overview of the changes that lie ahead.
The study presents five key focus areas for Ireland moving forward - vision, collaboration, data, technology and skills. The study finds that there are many policies and initiatives underway under each of these headings and as a result, Ireland has a solid infrastructure in place to deal with the opportunities and challenges arising from the adoption of digital technologies. This is evidenced in the chart below which details the work underway both by my Department and across the Government system to address the five key areas as outlined in the report. The study has found that the progression and development of these policies and initiatives will ensure that Ireland is prepared for and responding to the impacts resulting from the increased adoption of digital technologies.
Current Policies and Initiatives in Place Addressing ‘Digital Transformation’s Five Key Areas of Focus
|
Key Areas |
Policies and Initiatives Addressing Areas |
|
Vision |
National Digital Strategy Innovation 2020 |
|
Collaboration |
R&D Technology Centres/GatewaysInnovation PartnershipsSFI Industry Fellowships |
|
Data |
National Data Infrastructure |
|
Technology |
Disruptive Technologies Innovation FundIndustry 4.0 Strategy |
|
Skills |
National Skills Strategy 2025ICT Action PlanNational Digital Strategy for SchoolsSkills for Growth InitiativeSpotlight on SkillsSkillnet IrelandSpringboard+EXPLORE |
In addition to this, my Department and the Department of An Taoiseach are leading on the development of Future Jobs Ireland which will be launched early next year. To ensure Ireland’s economy is well positioned to adapt and prosper in the future, Future Jobs Ireland will provide a new economic pathway for Ireland based on the following key pillars:
- improving productivity, particularly in Irish Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
- innovation and technological change
- enhancing skills and developing and attracting talent
- increasing participation in the labour force
- transitioning to a low carbon economy
In addressing these areas, Future Jobs Ireland aims to drive Ireland’s development as a resilient, innovative and globally connected economy that is capable of coping with the technological and transformational changes that may arise in the coming years.
