Update: Innovation and Technology in Job Restoration – Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation 16th October, 2014

To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he expects innovation and technology to feature in job restoration at various economic black spots throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

*    For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 16th October, 2014.

Ref No:   39639/14

Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Mr English)

Investment in science, technology and innovation (STI) is an essential component of supporting an innovative and enterprising economy. It assists in creating and maintaining high-value jobs and attracts, develops and nurtures business, scientists and talented people, ensuring Ireland is connected and respected internationally. The importance of STI to Ireland’s on-going and future economic and social development and well-being is well recognised by the Government. Across the EU, Ireland is ranked third in the EU ‘Indicator of Innovation Output’ (September 2013), which measures the extent to which ideas from innovative sectors are able to reach the market, providing better jobs and making Europe more competitive.

IDA Ireland has a key role in seeking to win high-value R&D investments for Ireland, by promoting collaboration between industry, academia, government agencies and regulatory authorities. It also funds in-company R&D. Ireland’s strengthened national research ecosystem has enhanced IDA’s capacity to attract increased levels of high-value R&D projects which qualitatively transform and deepen the roots of key multinationals here. It is worth noting that every 10 jobs created in multinational companies leads to approximately 7 jobs being created elsewhere in the economy in supply and service business. IDA Ireland promotes a focused regional development strategy and under its Horizon 2020 strategy, it has set targets for investment in the regions.  

In terms of the STI ecosystem, the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), our universities and Institutes of Technology, are located throughout the country and provide a focal point for research and innovation activities. Many of these host Science Foundation Ireland Research Centres and/or joint Enterprise Ireland €“ IDA Ireland Technology Centres, amongst other supporting initiatives such as Enterprise Ireland’s Technology Gateways and Campus Incubation Programme. The HEI’s also host Technology Transfer Offices, linking in to the central Technology Transfer Office, ‘Knowledge Transfer Ireland’, and are placing an emphasis on collaborations with industry partners in areas of strategic importance, both regionally and nationally.