Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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158. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline progress on establishing regional technology and innovation hubs across Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66494/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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In response to the Deputy's question and subsequent clarification that the question relates to Ireland’s European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), please find the below update on this programme.

Ireland's four EDIHs are delivered by my Department, through Enterprise Ireland. They are part of the larger EU network of EDIHs established together with the European Commission and co-funded by the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL). The European coverage of the network facilitates the exchange of best practices across hubs in different countries as well as the provision of specialised services across regions when the required skills are not locally available.

The aim is for EDIHs to help companies, primarily SMEs, to become more competitive in their business/production processes through digital transformation, by acting as “one stop shops” providing the following services: access to technical expertise and experimentation; financing advice; training and skills development necessary for a successful digital transformation; and information on the innovation ecosystem and networking opportunities. These services are also open to public sector organisations.

The services provided by EDIHs are free or at a reduced cost for SMEs and public sector organisations all over Ireland.

Our four EDIHs were established in Ireland in 2023:

• CeADAR, Ireland's National AI centre, is Ireland’s EDIH for AI, based in UCD
• FactoryxChange (FxC) led by the EI/IDA Technology Centre IMR (Irish Manufacturing Research) in Mullingar, is focused on the manufacturing sector and accelerating transformation to become ‘Factories of the Future’ embracing ecological, digital, and societal challenges.
• ENTIRE led by Tyndall National Institute in Cork aims to help SMEs and start-ups become more competitive in their business and production processes using digital technologies such as the 'Internet of Things' and sensors. ENTIRE also has expertise in cybersecurity provided through its partnership with Munster Technological University
• DATA2SUSTAIN led by Atlantic Technological University Sligo, aims to increase the transformation capacity of SMEs in the Northern and Western Region with a focus on circular economy, operations and sustainability areas.