Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2022
682. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which he intends to increase domestic productivity of the research and innovation sector by 2.5% per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33873/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraImpact 2030 will intensify our commitment to Ireland’s knowledge-based economy, increasing and deepening enterprise research and innovation activity, which will be central to long-term economic and social sustainability at national and regional level.
My Department works closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which will be leading on Impact 2030's commitment to ensuring that innovation drives enterprise success.
Increasing productivity will all add to the resilience of Irish businesses, preparing them to continue to succeed in an increasingly competitive global market. As such, increasing indigenous productivity by 2.5% per annum is a key target for Enterprise Ireland in its recently published strategy, Leading in a Changing World.
One of the core strategic objectives will be to boost the productivity of established businesses and connect enterprises with innovation opportunities at home and internationally, maximising their growth and job creation potential. Enterprise Ireland will deliver targeted initiatives to boost productivity and scale start-ups and established companies with high growth potential.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment through its agency Enterprise Ireland and working with the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and others will prioritise the development of a strong pipeline of companies with the potential to internationalise and grow their productivity, providing a clear pathway for progression from the LEOs to Enterprise Ireland for small companies with the potential to export.
Key drivers for productivity growth in indigenous industries will include the creation and exploitation of intangible assets including intellectual property, technology, and managerial and specialist skills. It is also clear that leveraging digital technology to improve productivity and profitability will develop new market opportunities. Increased levels of investment in innovation, digital adoption and transformation are essential to strengthen the productivity and operational effectiveness of Irish enterprise, developing high value products and services and delivering competitiveness on international markets.
Enterprise Ireland will drive a major increase in digital adoption and transformation by Irish enterprise, helping to strengthen competitiveness and productivity across people, processes and technology.
Initiatives include:
- Working with the LEO Centre of Excellence to deliver digitalisation awareness, supports and content across EI and LEO client bases.
- Driving SME awareness of and connectivity to new European Digital Innovation Hubs, Digital Cluster, Tech Centres and wider infrastructure across SME base.
- Formally establish up to 4 European Digital Innovation Hubs to support the digital transformation of Irish SMEs, as part of wider programme of digitalisation support to Irish enterprise.
- Leverage strategic partnerships with key digital platforms, including extending HPSU partnership agreement with MNCs to include an SME digitalisation focus (MoU with Google across SMEs and LEOs).
- Enterprise Ireland will develop and launch new International Selling Programme, with a focus on digital marketing/ transformation, with new products/services.
- Delivery of short flexible Sales & Marketing programmes (virtual selling, Digital Lead Generation, Value Proposition, Market intelligence, channel management, etc) including targeted roll out to LEO clients.
- Adapting Enterprise Ireland leadership programmes (building in Digital transformation, Sustainability and ESG as required).
- Provision of Digital manufacturing course (with Solas).
- Capability building in Digitalisation and cybersecurity (with Skillsnet).
- Development of online portal/tools to support 1 to many digitalisation capability, skills building and provide access to information, exemplar case studies, external online training, signposting to supports, and MNC partner content for SME digitalisation.
- Launch awareness building campaign on digitalisation, to meet gaps identified around knowledge & awareness, skills, technology adoption and access to finance.
- Delivery of new Digital Transition Fund (NRRF), in 2022 to support digital adoption across Irish enterprise through one-to-many online supports (for EI and LEO clients) and one-to-one funding supports (including RD&I).
- Enabling clients to avail of EU Digital Funding (European Enterprise Network; EIC).
- Expanding training grants (beyond LEAN) to allow firms engage 3rd party providers to boost management skills across core functional and transformational (digital, sustainability) areas.
- Grad Start and enhanced key manager grants focusing on new areas (Digital, Climate).
- Build out digital sales and marketing hub/expertise to develop new products/services to embed digital marketing capability across the client base (e.g., digitalisation voucher).
- Introduce New Exporter Scorecard and supports to increase number of digital exporters micro/SME.
- Mapping the exporter journey and fully develop the engagement model maximising digital by default delivery.
Additionally, Housing for All is the government’s housing plan to 2030. Under this plan, Enterprise Ireland, along with other agencies, will undertake initiatives to drive an increase in the levels of innovation and productivity in the construction sector. In line with the objectives under Housing for All, Enterprise Ireland will provide targeted advisory and technology assistance to the construction sector to deliver an increase in innovation and productivity.
Enterprise Ireland will support the construction sector to deliver an increase in innovation and productivity through the launch of a new Construction Technology Innovation Centre.
