Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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71. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether Europe has been losing ground to the United States and Asia, for biopharmaceutical research and manufacturing investments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38310/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department’s agency IDA Ireland last week reported record results for 2021, securing 249 investments, of which 104 were new name investors. The level of total direct employment in IDA client companies grew by 7% in 2021, to 275,384. Over half of all projects went to regional locations.

When we look at the base of FDI Biopharma companies established here, we can see that this sector has experienced great success in recent decades, with many largescale life sciences investments being made. Ireland’s Biopharma sector has a substantial economic impact and is a significant contributor to Ireland’s exports, and accounts for a substantial amount of Ireland’s corporation tax. Nine of the of the top 10 global Biopharma companies have significant manufacturing operations within Ireland. The combined Biopharma and MedTech cluster in Ireland provides direct employment to over 80,000 people.

The sector is thriving, and IDA’s Biopharma clients have continued to expand, with 14 Biopharma clients announcing significant expansions in Ireland over the last twelve months. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies are reviewing their supply chains to ensure that their global manufacturing is evenly distributed globally, and Ireland is well placed to benefit from this development.

Ireland continues to be an attractive location for foreign direct investment, despite COVID-19 and a downturn in global FDI. IDA is adapting its responses to changes in global economic circumstances and it continues to secure high levels of FDI investment in a very competitive market. Nevertheless, we must remain alert to any competitiveness issues that may risk constraining our capacity for future success.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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72. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the adoption of a strong pro-innovation position in relation to the European Pharmaceutical Strategy has the potential to protect existing jobs, create new jobs and further help new treatments to originate and be developed in Ireland and Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38311/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe was adopted in November 2020, and aims to create a future-proof regulatory framework and to support industry in promoting research and technologies that reach patients in order to fulfil their therapeutic needs while addressing market failures.

It is my understanding that work on some areas of the Strategy is already under way. The implementation of the Strategy will span the mandate of the current EU Commission and will see a proposal for revision of pharmaceutical legislation in 2022.

My Department will engage in this process when enterprise aspects are relevant, and we will maintain good working relationships with our European colleagues and colleagues in other Government Departments, in particular through the interdepartmental group chaired by the Department of Health.

There are over 90 biopharma companies in Ireland employing over 42,000 people directly in activities ranging from manufacturing, research, development and innovation, and a full range of medical and supply chain services. Regulatory stability, sub-supply capability, a multicultural and talented workforce, and the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners has enabled the sector to flourish, and these investments in plant and staff have very deep roots, firmly anchoring these companies in the Irish economy.

Substantial investments have been made in recent years to promote innovation within the Life Sciences industry sector and provide access to technical resources through a network of research providing organisations. Specifically, a grouping of specialist Advanced Manufacturing centres have been funded to provide technical expertise in the areas of digital technologies supporting discrete and process manufacturing innovation. There has also been equivalent investment within a network of Life Science centres to develop innovative next generation therapeutics and associated technologies. Measures to ensure innovation across the healthcare and life sciences value chain ensure the resilience and growth of the Life Science sector and position Ireland to be a leading global hub to attract and retain investment and jobs. As Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I seek to take every opportunity that would allow us to strengthen Ireland's hard-won position in this evolving sector.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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73. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether there is a role for Ireland, along with other economically advanced, similar-sized countries, in supporting the protection of innovation in the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy in order that Ireland remains competitive for new investments and raise standards of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38313/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe was published in November 2020. It aims to ensure access to affordable therapies for patients, to addressing unmet medical needs, to supporting competitiveness, innovation and sustainability of the EU’s pharmaceutical industry and the development of high quality, safe, effective and greener medicines, along with other measures in relation to enhanced crisis preparedness and response mechanisms, diversified and secure supply chains, and to addressing medicines shortages.

The thematic concerns and legislation that will result from the Strategy will be discussed in detail in the coming years, and my Department, together with our European colleagues and colleagues in other Government Departments, remains ready to participate in this process.

The current global economic climate is challenging, and competition for FDI investments is intense, with countries around the world actively vying for new FDI investments. IDA Ireland is continuously refining its offering to ensure that Ireland offers the most competitive, innovative, and relevant elements that targeted investments seek. This focus on the sectors that underpin a modern economy is key to our success.

Substantial investments have been made in recent years to promote innovation within the Life Sciences industry sector and provide access to technical resources through a network of research providing organisations. Specifically, a grouping of specialist Advanced Manufacturing centres have been funded to provide technical expertise in the areas of digital technologies supporting discrete and process manufacturing innovation. There has also been equivalent investment within a network of Life Science centres to develop innovative next generation therapeutics and associated technologies. This combined support at a national infrastructure level is further coupled with research, development and innovation mechanisms through enterprise agencies to ensure next generation products, services and technologies are being developed within operations in Ireland and that Ireland remains a global innovation hub for Life Sciences/BioPharma.

Additional measures which have been taken to ensure innovation across the healthcare and life sciences value chain involve collaborative innovation through national funding calls (Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund), European Digital Innovation Hubs, and through national networking and clustering organisations.

These combined measures to support innovation ensure the resilience and growth of the Life Science sector and position Ireland to be a leading global hub to attract and retain investment. Such measures directly support both the National and European economy and associated supply and value chains.

IDA Ireland continues to emphasise the core elements of Ireland’s value proposition for foreign direct investment, which includes our pro-enterprise policy environment, our highly educated and English-speaking workforce, and our membership of the European Union. Taken together, these factors combine to mark Ireland as a stable and reliable location for investment, and it is my intention to ensure that we retain this competitive position.