Technology Ireland calls for multiannual national digital agenda accelerator fund in budget submission
In its annual budget submission Technology Ireland, the Ibec group representing the technology industry, has called on the government to maximise existing digital spending in the National Development Plan and to introduce a multiannual national digital agenda accelerator fund.
Una Fitzpatrick, director, Technology Ireland, said: “Ireland aims to maximise its planned digital investment, but it’s imperative that we double down on future-proofing digital innovation, skills, adoption, and services throughout the upcoming budgets and into the latter half of this decade.
“Ireland has a significant opportunity to enhance its performance in innovation, digital, and AI capabilities. This isn’t solely about being a hub for scientific innovation, but ensuring both companies and individuals can adapt to new technologies, thereby enhancing our overall absorptive capacity. This encompasses skills development for all ages, backing research and development, bolstering infrastructure, ensuring regulatory consistency and adequate resources, among other things. It’s also about positioning Ireland on a global scale, ensuring companies benefit from the discipline of global markets sooner. Concentrating on these drivers will not only spur top-notch technological progress in Ireland but, just as crucially, emphasise both the adoption and creation of technologies. This dual focus is essential for sustainable growth and fortifying our competitiveness.”
Fitzpatrick added that additional resources be put into the creation of a new multiannual national digital agenda accelerator fund and by leveraging the NTF (National Training Fund).
“This fund would boost our competitiveness, resilience, public services, regional development, and well-being, while also meeting our national and EU digital transition goals from 2024 to 2030 and beyond. The projected cost of this new fund, which aims to bolster trust and deepen our national digital prowess while acknowledging our expanding regulatory role in the digital realm, stands at €500 million for the period 2024-2030.”
She added: “Ireland remains the epicentre of the technology industry in Europe. But we cannot afford to be complacent. We must persistently strive to enhance our offering and outpace our competitors. As the regulatory decisions shaping the digital future in Europe take form, potentially affecting businesses and citizens across the world, Ireland must play a pivotal role in shaping these regulations Ireland must ensure its domestic regulation of the technology sector aligns with Europe, taking a proactive role in realising a genuine Digital Single Market and enhancing our governance capabilities to become a top-tier regulatory hub.”
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