Coughlan Launches "Innovation in Ireland" Policy Statement

On Monday, the Irish government announced a new strategy on Innovation in a policy document entitled, "Innovation in Ireland".

Commenting on the publication of the Policy Statement, Ms. Mary Coughlan T.D., the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment said, "Our ambition is to become a leader in innovation. This Policy Statement maps our progress across 10 key policy areas and also identifies opportunities where innovation can be better exploited."

"This is the first time that the Government has drawn together the range of policies and actions which support innovation.

"Our future competitiveness depends on combining the strength of our knowledge base with delivering demand-driven innovative products and services.

"In that regard, the Government are working towards creating the best conditions in which innovation can flourish.

"The relentless pursuit by the Development Agencies in promoting and implementing measures to improve the economy's innovation and productivity potential is key to this process.

"The support and contribution of Forfas in formulating the Innovation Policy Statement is particularly acknowledged.

"We want to exploit the great potential value of innovation in services to our economy, in our public procurement practices and in emerging models of business organisation and service delivery,", she concluded.

The Policy Statement provides a wider context for implementation of the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2013.

It charts the main components of Ireland's national innovation system.

By putting innovation at the core of Government policies, it is said that competitive advantage and productivity can be increased in the face of growing global competition.

The Tánaiste pointed out that the recently published findings of the CSO/Forfas Community Innovation Survey 2004-2006 found that Ireland's overall innovation activity rate was 47.2% compared to an EU estimated activity rate of 42%.

Innovation activity for industrial firms was 57%, well above the EU average of 41% with Service sector firms having an innovation activity rate of 41% compared to an EU average rate of 36%.

Dr. Jimmy Devins, TD, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation said, "Innovation cuts across all areas from consumer-driven innovative products and services to developing new business models, new organisational structures and skills for innovation".

The Policy Statement on Innovation documents the Programmes and Initiatives in place to support firms and individuals to create new services and products and gain new markets. Innovation will be a key element in exploiting such opportunities.

The Policy Statement comprehensively draws all of these supports together and provides a guide to the Government's approach in fostering innovation demand and an innovation culture in the economy and in society.