3rd July 2025
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke has launched the fourth and final Update Report on the White Paper on Enterprise Implementation Plan, marking the conclusion of a two-year implementation period that began in 2023 and went through to 2024.
This report showcases the significant progress made across 40 strategic initiatives underpinned by 93 activities, with over 90% now delivered or on track for completion this year. The White Paper’s 15 key target metrics also show strong performance, particularly in areas such as employment, regional investment, and exporting.
Minister Burke said:
“It is excellent to see the progress that has been made across Government in realising the ambitions and objectives set out in the White Paper on Enterprise."
“This marks a period of sustained success for Irish enterprise, built on sustainability, innovation and productivity.”
Advancements across digital transformation include the launch of the Grow Digital portal supporting SMEs in mapping their digital journey with over 10,000 page visits. Over €1.9 million was disbursed through European Digital Innovation Hubs, benefiting 337 companies with access to research infrastructure and technical expertise. AI adoption among SMEs increased from 8% in 2023 to 14.9% in 2024.
In terms of net zero, Ireland’s Offshore Wind Strategy, Powering Prosperity, has been implemented with 38 of the 40 actions underway and €312.6 million was approved under the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme.
Innovation and enterprise growth highlights included the €32 billion target for Irish owned company exports in 2023 which was exceeded at €34.57 billion, with the sector further supported by 90 High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs) in 2024. The Knowledge Transfer Boost Programme was launched with €33.4 million to support spinouts and innovation.
From a regional development perspective, 234 FDI projects were secured in 2024, with 58% located outside Dublin. Full employment was maintained across 2023 and 2024 with the Smart Regions Scheme and National Clustering Programme progressing toward a 2025 launch.
Minister Burke went on to say:
“This fourth update report marks the completion of the implementation period for the White Paper on Enterprise. I will shortly commence the development of Enterprise 2035, a Programme for Government commitment to develop a new enterprise strategy with the ambition of enterprise growth and job creation over the coming decade. This work will complement wider efforts across Government to place Irish enterprise on a footing to grow and compete over the long-term in the face of international economic developments. I am currently developing an Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity which will address areas including innovation, infrastructure, regulation and costs, scaling of SMEs, and regional development.”
Read the report in full here: White Paper on Enterprise Implementation Plan: Update Report H2 2024
Editors notes
The commitments set out in the White Paper on Enterprise, published in 2022, represent an ambitious vision for enterprise policy in the period to 2030, which will work to enable Irish-based enterprise to succeed through competitive advantage founded on sustainability, innovation and productivity, delivering rewarding jobs and livelihoods.
The 15 target metrics in the White Paper on Enterprise cover the Government’s ambitions across the areas of employment and seven identified priority policy objectives:
- integrating decarbonisation and net zero commitments;
- placing digital transformation at the heart of enterprise policy;
- advancing Ireland’s FDI and trade value proposition;
- strengthening the Irish-owned exporting sector;
- enabling locally trading sectors to thrive;
- stepping up enterprise innovation; and
- building on Ireland`s existing strengths and opportunities.
Following publication of this fourth and final update report, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will commence the development of Enterprise 2035. Enterprise 2035 was set out in the 2025 Programme for Government as a new enterprise strategy with the vision for a long-term ambition for enterprise growth and job creation over the coming decade.
This policy will supersede the White Paper on Enterprise, maintaining a focus on building on Ireland’s strengths as an open economy with strong trade and foreign direct investment, a vibrant innovation ecosystem and a resilient labour market, while also adapting to new challenges in an increasingly uncertain world.
ENDS
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