Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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115. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current status of the Life Sciences Strategy; if stakeholder engagement is planned; which Department will be responsible for overseeing its execution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8204/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Life Sciences sector is a cornerstone of Ireland’s economic success, accounting for over 80,000 jobs and over €100 billion in exports according to recent figures. It is also a key sector attracting foreign and indigenous investments in R&D and significant capital expenditure. Ireland has developed a cohesive and integrated Life Sciences cluster consisting of highly innovative indigenous companies, large well-established foreign direct investment multinationals, a continually developing world-class research base, and a strong industry-focused clinical community. As reflected in the new IDA Strategy, Ireland’s Life Sciences sector holds significant potential for growth in the coming years. In April 2024, a report from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs forecast 21,000 additional jobs to be created in the biopharma sector by 2027.

The new Programme for Government has mandated the development of a national Life Sciences strategy to ensure this important sector remains competitive, as well as adopting a coherent and ambitious approach to future opportunities. It is my ambition that the strategy provides a road-map for developing Ireland’s Life Sciences sector by incorporating diverse stakeholder input and responding to forthcoming EU initiatives for the sector to bolster Ireland’s position as a competitive hub for Life Sciences innovation and growth. In this regard, my Department will soon begin arrangements for the scoping and project planning of the strategy.

While my Department will be responsible for producing the strategy, this process will involve close collaboration with the relevant Departments, agencies, and key industry stakeholders across the Life Sciences sector to ensure its effective development and implementation.