James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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66. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will roll out additional resources to support entrepreneurial incubation and innovation in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21755/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Supporting our indigenous companies to invest in research, development and innovation (RDI) activities is critical for job creation and protection in Ireland, as it fosters technological advancements and new business opportunities, leading to the development of high-value jobs and a more resilient economy.

To that end I would highlight that through my Department’s Science and Technology Programme we are investing over €151 million in 2025 for Enterprise Ireland to deliver the full suite of RDI supports and activities which includes direct R&D Grants and Equity, collaborative measures such as Innovation Vouchers, Innovation Partnerships, supports for the commercialisation of research as well as the co-funding of programmes under the European Regional Development Fund and Ireland’s four European Digital Innovation Hubs.

The recent OECD report 'Supporting start-up globalisation in Ireland through incubation and acceleration' recommended that a unified approach is taken to create a cohesive accelerator and incubation ecosystem that accelerates start-up growth and scaling. In response to the OECD report my Department is in the process of developing a policy response with new initiatives that will further build on and strengthen the eco-system in Ireland.