Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
5. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the degree to which the pharma sector in Ireland continues to receive adequate Government support for the production and distribution of appropriate rare disease medication and other services such as early diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42376/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are over 90 biopharma companies in Ireland engaged in activities ranging from manufacturing, research, development and innovation, and a full range of medical and supply chain services. The sector employs 42,000 people directly and is firmly rooted in the Irish economy.
Substantial investments have been made in recent years to promote innovation within the Life Sciences industry sector and provide access to technical resources through a network of research providing organisations. Specialist Advanced Manufacturing Centres have been funded to provide technical expertise in the areas of digital technologies supporting discrete and process manufacturing innovation. There has also been equivalent investment within a network of Life Science centres to develop innovative next generation therapeutics and associated technologies. Additional measures which have been taken to ensure innovation across the healthcare and life sciences value chain involve collaborative innovation through national funding calls (Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund), European Digital Innovation Hubs, and through national networking and clustering organisations. This combined support at a national infrastructure level is further coupled with research, development and innovation mechanisms through enterprise agencies to ensure next generation products, services and technologies are being developed within operations in Ireland and that Ireland remains a global innovation hub for Life Sciences/BioPharma.
Measures to ensure innovation across the healthcare and life sciences value chain ensure the resilience and growth of the Life Science sector. As Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I seek to take every opportunity that would allow us to strengthen Ireland's hard-won position in this evolving sector.
