An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tainaiste Eamon Gilmore launched the Government’s new action plan for jobs today at an event held at the headquarters of start-up accelerator Wayra Ireland in O2’s headquarters in Dublin’s Silicon Dock.
Among the measures announced for the technology sector were entrepreneurial training for state-aided scientists, promotion of Big and Open Data, Green initiatives, and closer ties between enterprises and the healthcare system.
Filling the technology skills gap featured high on the agenda. It was promised that a revised ICT Skills Action Plan informed by a recent Forfás/EGFSN study would be released, with a goal of increasing the domestic supply of ICT graduates from 63% of demand in 2014 to 74% by 2018.
Measure promoting domestic businesses include the review of tax support schemes for and funding for start-ups, the opening of 31 Local Enterprise Offices and an entrepreneurial PhD programme to train SFI scientists to launch their own businesses.
Advancing the agenda to make Ireland a leading country in Europe in Big Data and data analytics by measures including the launch of an Open Data initiative and further strengthening enterprise engagement in the €88 million Insight Research Centre and the CeADAR Technology Centre.
Following a successful trial in Dublin, a scheme to get micro and small businesses online will be extended to service 2,000 companies nationwide.
The plan includes the setting up of an energy efficiency fund and supporting exemplar projects with a goal of turning Ireland into one of the most energy efficient economies in Europe.
Also on the plan was the establishment for the National Health Innovation Hub to build on the implementation of the Cork Demonstrator Project, producing new technologies, products, and services by fostering collaboration between commercial enterprises with the health system.
In other measures, Enterprise Ireland will target the creation of 13,000 new fulltime permanent jobs and support clients to achieve €17.5 billionn in exports in 2014.
The agnecy will also introduce a mentorship programme for the benefit of more than 300 clients.
The IDA will target 13,000 new jobs and 155 new foreign direct investment projects.
To further improve access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises in Ireland, key priorities for 2014 include: increasing new lending to SMEs; increasing participation in Government sponsored access to finance schemes for SMEs such as the Microenterprise Loan Fund and the Credit Guarantee Scheme; raising the level of awareness amongst SMEs and entrepreneurs of the business supports available; and enhancing the financial capability of SMEs.
Furthermore, it was announced that 2015 would be designated Year of Irish Design, to be convened by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland.
“Creating new jobs is the top priority for Government,” said Kenny. “We recognise that too many people around the country still have yet to see evidence of recovery. This is why the Government has designated 2014 to be the year for jobs. Exiting the bailout was not an end in itself. We must use this freedom to create a sustainable economic recovery, to create more jobs and improve living standards. Just as we had a plan to exit the bail-out, we now have a clear plan to guide the economy to better times.
“This is where the Action Plan for Jobs comes in. The 2014 Action Plan has a strong focus on the domestic economy, improving competitiveness, and supporting our entrepreneurs and small businesses. There can be no let up in our efforts until we are back to full employment.”
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