Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action he proposes to take to enable Ireland to realise the full economic benefits of cloud computing in view of his recent statements about its potential. [21067/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland is extremely well-placed to take advantage of the rapidly-growing international potential of cloud computing. A recent report commissioned by Microsoft has estimated that by 2014 the cloud computing industry in Ireland could be worth €9.5 billion and employ 8,600 people. Now more than ever we must do everything we can to seize opportunities like this. I do not believe that these jobs will be created automatically, and the Government must act decisively and urgently if we are to position Ireland as a world leader in this high-growth sector.

The commitment in the Programme for Government on Cloud Computing sets out the Government's intentions in this important area of the ICT industry. The commitment provides that we will make Ireland a leader in Cloud Computing by promoting greater use of cloud computing in the public sector, organising existing State supports for cloud computing into a package to promote Ireland as a progressive place for I.T. investment, establishing an expert group to address new security and privacy issues arising from the use of cloud computing and reviewing the adequacy of current legislation and identify what steps need to be taken to ensure a supportive regulatory environment.

In May I announced the establishment of a €5 million applied research centre in cloud computing, which will bring industry and researchers in this sector together in order to turn good ideas into good jobs

I also recently announced the establishment of the Cloud Computing Implementation Group. Last week I met with those members of the Group from my own Department and the Agencies under the aegis of my Department. The first meeting of the full group is scheduled to take place this Wednesday. Aside from my own Department and its agencies, the group includes representatives of the Data Protection Commissioners Office, the Department of Justice, Equality and Defence, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Ireland already has a considerable presence in the Cloud Computing market with both multinational and indigenous companies actively engaged. The sector has the support of the full range of the programmes of the industrial development agencies, notably IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland.

The implementation group will set out and implement a work programme under headings such as Enterprise Supports, Telecommunications Infrastructure, Data Protection and Information Security Legislation, Public Procurement, Skills, Energy and the Business Environment. The aim is to ensure that our arrangements are as favourable as we can make them to ensure Ireland becomes a leader in Cloud Computing.