Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2022
84. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide the list of existing strategies that fall under his Department; the status of implementation of each strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60482/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department leads on advising and implementing the government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which enables employment creation and sustainability. Our current strategies, and a short status update on each, are set out below:
National strategies
The Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2026 ‘Value for Ireland, Values for the World’ was approved by Government in March. A Trade and Investment Council has been convened to drive implementation of the seven priority actions of the strategy. Progress under specific actions incudes the completion of preparatory work on optimising Ireland’s position within Global Value Chains, completion of a survey of public attitudes to trade, and the preparation of a draft report on a review of Local Market Teams.
National Smart Specialisation Strategy for Innovation 2022-2027 (S3): The national implementation group for S3 will have its first meeting on 15 December 2022.
The National AI Strategy, AI – Here for Good, was launched in July 2021. Significant progress is being made on implementation. Ireland joined the Global Partnership on AI in November 2021, an international initiative to promote responsible AI use. We have convened a Working Group on Trustworthy AI to agree principles for the deployment of ethical AI in the public sector. In May, Dr. Patricia Scanlon was appointed as Ireland’s first AI Ambassador. We have established the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum to drive the uptake of digital technologies, including AI, by enterprises across Ireland. Implementation of the strategy is also being informed by developments taking place internationally, for example, the EU Artificial Intelligence Act Regulation which is currently being negotiated at EU Level.
Making Remote Work, the National Remote Work Strategy, was launched in January 2021. There has been significant progress in implementing the Strategy. An interdepartmental group has been convened to coordinate remote working policy across Government. Significant actions delivered include the publication of draft legislation establishing the right to request remote working, the launch and expansion of the National Hub Network and ConnectedHubs.ie platform, significant investment in Ireland’s hub and broadband infrastructure and the provision of remote work guidance to facilitate the safe and effective uptake of remote and hybrid working arrangements.
Ireland's Industry 4.0 Strategy 2020-2025 is focused on enhancing the adoption of digital technologies in the manufacturing sector. A range of implementing actions have been taken by the enterprise agencies, and by DFHERIS and its agencies. This includes providing companies with access to skills development, financial support mechanisms, digital assessment and technology road mapping services.
National Space Strategy for Enterprise 2019-2025: Ireland’s first National Space Strategy for Enterprise was published in 2019. Good progress is being made under the five pillars of the strategy. Highlights include the holding of three All-Ireland Space Industry events; terms of the UN Outer Space Treaty and Liability Convention being approved by Dáil Éireann and an exchange of Letters with the European Space Agency to facilitate the launch of Ireland’s first satellite EIRSAT-1 in 2023. In addition, the number of Irish based companies engaged with ESA has increased by 39% since the publication of the Strategy and industry co-investment also increased in recent years from €3.3m in 2020 to €4.7m in 2021.
National Enterprise Strategy: Enterprise 2025 was reviewed in 2017 leading to the publication of Enterprise 2025 Renewed (2018) with targets to 2020, many of which have now been met or surpassed. Enterprise 2025 Renewed was subsequently superseded by Future Jobs Ireland 2019 and the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan, 2021, led by Dept. Taoiseach. The forthcoming White Paper on Enterprise and subsequent implementation mechanisms will set out Ireland’s enterprise policy approach to 2030.
The Government launched the National Digital Strategy, Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework, in February. While this strategy falls under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach, my Department is responsible for the Enterprise pillar of the Strategy. Ireland continues to perform strongly on the Digital Economy and Society Index, and has this year maintained its position at fifth in the rankings of 27 EU Member States. In particular, we perform well in the adoption of digital technologies by enterprise, and the Index lists 64% of Irish SMEs as having at least a basic level of digital intensity. The target under the National Digital Strategy is to bring that number to 90% by 2030. We are determined to continue to drive progress across this and our other targets.
Corporate strategies
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Statement of Strategy 2021-2023: The Statement of Strategy sets out my Department’s strategic plan to implement our Programme for Government commitments. The strategy has been the framework for initiatives delivered by my Department since 2021, including supporting businesses impacted by the COVID crisis and the Ukraine crisis through a range of advisory services, grants and loan schemes; delivering a number of important enhancements to workers’ rights; enhancements to the business regulatory environment; advancing the green transition in enterprise; and deepening and extending Ireland’s global business and trade.
DETE People Strategy 2021-2024: Progress is being made under each of three goals of the strategy. Highlights include launching our Blended Working Policy, refreshing our approach to Strategic Workforce Planning and appointing a dedicated Innovation Officer to put new ideas from staff into practice
Department’s internal ICT Strategy 2020 – 2025 : Good progress is being made against the actions in the strategy. While much work is still to be done, of 59 actions in the strategy, 9 are completed, 5 partially complete, 19 commenced, 21 ongoing, 3 not started and 1 currently stalled (but options to address this are being explored). The strategy is a dynamic document, and a mid-point review is currently in progress.
