Investment in innovation is an essential component of supporting an enterprising and productive economy. Government support for innovation assists in creating and maintaining high-value jobs and helps to attract investment and develop business in Ireland. The department funds and promotes enterprise-led innovation through a range of programmes and supports delivered for the most part through Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.
The department is responsible for the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Programme, a €500 million fund that is part of the government’s National Development Plan and which is administered by Enterprise Ireland. We also assist companies in Ireland to engage in space-related innovation and technology development through Ireland’s membership of the European Space Agency and through engagement with EU Space Programmes. We engage with other government departments and organisations in the delivery of other important elements of Ireland’s innovation ecosystem including Knowledge Transfer Ireland, the Health Innovation Hub Ireland, the Eureka programme for SME cooperation at international level, European Digital Innovation Hubs and a range of other initiatives.
We work closely with other government departments including the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, which leads on national policy for research. In this context, we are leading the implementation of Ireland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy for the period 2022 to 2027. This is closely integrated with Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy.
The department also develops intellectual property policy, prepares legislation and provides an intellectual property regime which reflects the international law environment and best practice.
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