Written answers
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Departmental Projects
Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
328. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the new Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36228/25]
Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context
In response to international economic developments, and in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government has brought forward the preparation of an Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity. The Action Plan is currently being prepared for consideration of Government in July (to be finalised and published as soon as possible thereafter).
The Action Plan will reflect the whole-of-government approach to domestic drivers of competitiveness, focusing on areas firmly within our national control. Its development has been informed by extensive consultation across Government Departments and with external stakeholders. My Department has already undertaken a series of bilateral engagements with key Government partners, including in the areas of infrastructure, housing, research and innovation. This discussion will continue in the weeks ahead alongside broader stakeholder engagement and public consultation.
The Action Plan will also be guided by the forthcoming Ireland's Competitiveness Challenge 2025 report from the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council, which is due to be published in June. That evidenced-based input will be vital to ensuring that our policy responses are targeted, proportionate and future-facing.
The Action Plan will focus on domestic policy measures which can make the Irish economy more competitive and resilient to economic shocks – a large part of this will focus on SMEs. It is expected that the Plan will address areas which are impacting on the ability of SMEs to compete internationally, these include but are not limited to: business costs, SME scaling, and increasing the rate of RD&I among firms.
The overarching objective of the Action Plan is to maintain and improve Ireland's position as a competitive and productive economy capable of withstanding shocks, building on our strengths and developing our indigenous enterprise base while continuing to attract investment and talent from abroad. The Action Plan will, therefore, contain a set of actionable recommendations with clearly defined implementation timelines.
No comments