Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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21. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on the progress of the 2015 year of Irish design and how the initiative interacts and impacts on his Department and its activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6072/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I officially announced and launched the Irish Design 2015 (ID2015) core programme of activities in December 2014. The initiative sees Irish design and designers being celebrated and promoted here in Ireland and internationally through a year-long programme of activity. With a global reach, it aims to create 1800 jobs and 200 new businesses by promoting Ireland as a hub for design excellence and by encouraging investment in design as a key component of competitiveness and innovation. ID2015 presents a comprehensive programme of over 300 Irish and international events exploring, promoting and celebrating Irish design in just about every form. As part of ID2015, Dublin has been designated World Design Hub 2015 by the International Association of Designers, providing Ireland with a platform to promote the skills and talents of Irish designers to a worldwide audience.

Highlights of the programme include:

- Ireland’s largest international trade fair Showcase: Ireland’s Creative Expo ® took place in Dublin in January, attracting over 5000 buyers from Ireland and up to 26 countries and generated up to €20 million in sales orders.

- The work of 20 Irish designers and makers was presented in an Irish Design pavilion at the premier French tradeshow Maison et Objet which took place in Paris during the last week in January.

- Design Island, a new photographic exhibition at Dublin Airport celebrating Irish creativity as part of ID2015, will be seen by more than 21 million passengers by the end of 2015. Design Island features a series of 300 photographs by award winning Irish photographer Peter Rowen capturing 24 designers and craft practitioners at work in their studios all over Ireland.

- To coincide with ID2015, Ireland has been announced as the inaugural Focus Country for the London Festival of Architecture, which takes place during the month of June 2015, presenting the work of 5 Irish practices working in the architecture and built environment sector.

- The Coach House at Dublin Castle will be a design hub for ID2015, showcasing Irish and international design exhibitions from partners including Design Museum London and Vitra Design Museum, Germany. The current exhibition, In the Making, has travelled from the Design Museum in London.

- Throughout the year, the work of Irish designers will be presented at international events such as Milan and Dutch Design Weeks, London Festival of Architecture, London and Paris Fashion Weeks, London Design Festival, Chicago Architecture Biennial and Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture in Hong Kong/Shenzhen.

- In its programme of overseas trade missions, as well as at the above international events, Enterprise Ireland will develop opportunities to promote Irish design and design companies.

Highlights in the coming weeks include:

- Ireland’s inaugural participation in the International Fashion Showcase during London Fashion Week will see the work of 8 emerging Irish designers presented during the festival, from 20 - 24 February.

- In partnership with ID2015 “Better Business by Design”, the IBEC 2015 Annual CEO Conference, will take place in Dublin Castle on 4th March, featuring international and national keynote speakers who will stimulate debate and provide fresh insights into creative confidence and innovation.

In addition, funding opportunities have been included in the programme. A Design Innovation Fund will see the initiation of a diverse range of projects such as workshops, conferences and events which will have a strategic impact on the development of supports for design companies and SMEs. An International Trade Fund will also enable Irish designers and companies to access international markets and create export opportunities.