Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for her question. Although the technology sector has undergone a period of sustained growth for more than 20 years, modest contractions have occurred recently. Possible US trade actions on semiconductors and other challenges have also created a moment of international uncertainty in the sector. In response to these geopolitical and trade challenges, the Government has agreed to expedite its action plan for competitiveness and productivity. Furthermore, several short-term measures, such as enhancing international trade promotion, addressing business costs and improving energy infrastructure will bolster the resilience of technology firms and support their competitiveness.

Where job losses are announced by any IDA Ireland-client company based here, our first concern is for staff members and their families impacted by such decisions. My Department’s main aim, with the support of our enterprise development agencies, is to assist, where possible, in helping those impacted to find alternative employment through a number of measures, including: the provision of a detailed skills profile for the employees that can be shared with other potential employers; identification and connection with employers who may be hiring across the locality or a wider region; information sessions by the Department of Social Protection's Intreo office on social welfare services and employment support services; identification and provision of training and further opportunities for employees; and exploring opportunities for people to start their own business through local enterprises offices, LEOs, and Enterprise Ireland.

Working with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, our objective is to sustain and create further employment in the technology sector. The programme for Government sets out a range of commitments, including sectoral strategies that will support the sector. To this end, I will launch the national semiconductor strategy this month, which will be a clear signal of Government support for this economically and strategically vital sector. As part of the development of the strategy, my Department undertook a comprehensive mapping exercise to identify Ireland’s key semiconductor market actors, both indigenous and multinational, which will further inform our engagements with the sector, both domestic and multinational.

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