James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

17. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the proposed Glass Bottle Site innovation hub aligns with commitments to fostering innovation and collaboration in his Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50481/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Increasing our competitiveness and productivity is essential to securing Ireland’s economic future. The whole-of-Government Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity addresses current challenges and drives the reforms needed for our businesses and people to thrive.

The Action Plan recognises that success depends oncollaboration across Departments, agencies, industry, academia, and civil society. There a number of key actions specifically aimed at enhancing collaboration and strengthening the innovation ecosystem include scaling of Ireland’s Technology Centresin enterprise sectors todrive collaborative RD&I in SMEsand anchor high-growth Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) companies in Ireland

A central priority of the Action Plan is the creation within Enterprise Ireland of Start-up Ireland, a new coordinating approach that will align and strengthen the national start-up ecosystem. Start-up Ireland is a direct response to the recent OECD report on Ireland’s incubator and accelerator landscape, which highlighted the need for a more coherent, coordinated, and accessible support system for start-ups. The OECD’s recommendations have informed the design of Start-up Ireland, ensuring that it addresses identified gaps and positions Ireland’s start-up ecosystem for long-term success.

Within Enterprise Ireland, Start-up Ireland will oversee the rollout of a new National Accelerator Programme, which will succeed the NDRC at the end of 2026, and serve as a focal point for policy, investment, and ecosystem development, in line with European and global best practices. Start-up Ireland will also develop and deliver new programmes and supports, tailored to the needs of founders, to enhance coordination and strengthen the Irish start-up and innovation ecosystem.

Planning and consultation for Start-up Ireland are well advanced. As part of that process I and Enterprise Ireland met recently with representatives of the Glass Bottle Site consortium and we will continue to engage constructively with the consortium and other stakeholders as the project progresses.