Pictured L-R, Jan Warner, Director General, European Space Agency; An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD; Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland has signed an agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a Space Business Incubation Centre in Ireland (ESA BIC Ireland).  The signing took place last week during the Enterprise Ireland Trade and Investment Mission to Netherlands and Germany led by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD.   

The Space business incubator has the objective of supporting 25 start-up companies in space related technologies over the next 5 years.  There are currently over 45 Irish companies working with ESA in the development of highly innovative technologies for the global market in space systems and space related services and applications.  This number is growing by, on average, 5 companies per year.

Speaking from the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, Netherlands, where a number of Enterprise Ireland client companies made contract announcements, the Taoiseach said: “This partnership between the European Space Agency and Enterprise Ireland will mean that Irish businesses and their innovators will be at the frontier of new space technologies. Ireland already has a proud record of building up a cluster of space technology companies and this new space incubator will take advantage of Government investment in research infrastructure in Ireland, the extensive network of technical facilities and expertise of the ESA, as well as the business development resources of Enterprise Ireland. I am proud of the Irish companies here today who are representing our country in the evolution of the space industry".

Enterprise Ireland client companies who participated in the Trade and Investment Mission visit to ESTEC included Arralis, Curtis Wright, Enbio, Radisens Diagnostics and Treemetrics. 

The Irish Government's annual investment in ESA is supporting strong growth in the sector in Ireland generating annual revenues estimated at €76M in 2015. This investment has also resulted in the creation of 600 high value technology jobs in Irish industry, projected to double by 2020.    

Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland added: “I am delighted that Enterprise Ireland is signing this agreement with the European Space Agency.  This agreement will foster increased innovation and business development opportunities within the space industry and research sectors in Ireland and Europe.  It will also support Enterprise Ireland client companies who are developing new and innovative technologies for the European Space Programme and the global space market, in areas such as advanced materials, microelectronis, avionics and space related services, which will create new opportunities and more jobs in this rapidly growing sector".

Pictured, L-R: Jan Warner, Director General, European Space Agency; An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD; Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland

The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D., concluded his successful trade mission to The Netherlands and Germany organised by Enterprise Ireland. Over the course of the trade and investment mission, 17 contracts were signed by Irish companies in the Netherlands and Germany valued at approximately €57m.

Taoiseach leads Trade and Investment Mission to the Netherlands and Germany - in pictures.

The Government has launched the Mid East Action Plan for Jobs, aimed at delivering 10-15% employment growth in the region over the coming years. Successful implementation of the plan for Meath, Kildare and Wicklow would see the creation of 25,000 extra jobs in the region

The Plan is the seventh of 8 regional jobs plans to be published over the coming months, as part of a new €250million regional jobs strategy led by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD. 

Following several difficult years since the crash, employment in the Mid East has returned to growth, with 14,500 extra people at work in the region in the past two years (6.7%). During the years 2008-2011, 31,900 jobs were lost in the region (13%). The plan launched today targets employment growth of 10-15%.

The Mid East Plan covers counties Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. Key sectors targeted as part of the plan include high tech-manufacturing, agri-food, tourism, renewable energy, the equine industry and the film/creative content industry. Among the 163 actions in the plan to be delivered over the period 2016-2017 include:

• Start-ups – achieve an increase of at least 25% in the number of start-ups in the region, and a 25% improvement in the survival rate of new businesses – measures to include a series of audits to provide more incubation and shared space for start-up businesses in the region as well as training and mentoring support to over 2000 business-people per year by the LEOs
• Foreign investment – increase the number of IDA investments in the region by 30-40% up to 2019, through actions including appointing a dedicated Regional Manager for the Mid East, marketing the region as a location for second sites for multinationals in the Dublin region, and building clusters in existing sectors like high-value manufacturing and international services
• Skills – establish a Regional Skills Forums to ensure the flow of critical skills to enterprises in the region
• Innovation – measures to increase the number of businesses using R&D in the region; explore/develop the potential for a series of projects including a climate change research and innovation centre, a pharmaceutical research and innovation centre
• Tourism – including new initiatives to improve collaboration between different bodies in the region on tourism initiatives, in particular Ireland’s Ancient East, Blueways and Greenways and other recreational tourism facilities serving the greater Dublin area
• Equine industry – initiatives to include developing a joint marketing strategy to brand the region as the Equine Capital of the world
• Film/creative industries – develop a feasibility study and business plan for the development of an internationally recognised audio-visual industry Cluster in Wicklow, and separately explore the development of a regional Arts Hub at Maynooth University
• Agri-food – including exploring/developing the Boyne Valley Food Hub and food tourism measures, Food Works clinic in the Mid East in 2016 and targeting food companies in the Mid East to scale and innovate
• Implementation – a comprehensive implementation structure is being established to ensure delivery of the plan

The levels of employment growth actually achieved within that range will depend on factors including the level of support and collaboration within the local community for the Plan, and the level of collaboration between organisations in the region and the main Government bodies involved in the plan. Minister Bruton believes that based on all the evidence and the strong buy-in for the process up to this point it is realistic to target 25,000 additional jobs in the region by 2020.

Minister Bruton said: “Jobs are growing right across the country, but they are growing faster in some regions than in others. That is why we have put in place the €250million regional jobs strategy, to support regions to play to their strengths and accelerate jobs growth in every area.

“Proximity to Dublin is both a strength and a potential weakness in a unique way for the Mid East region. The region suffered badly during the crash, with 31,000 jobs lost and the construction sector particularly impacted. Over recent years thanks to the ingenuity of its workers and businesses it has begun to recover strongly, but we must do more. Through this plan we are aiming to build on the specific strengths in the region like the equine industry, the film industry, and high-value manufacturing as well as more traditional sectors like agri-food and tourism.

“I am convinced that with the right support from Government through the Mid East Plan, we can keep the recovery going and create jobs in towns and villages right across Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. In this way we can deliver 25,000 extra jobs over the coming years. This would be 25,000 extra pay packets coming into communities and 25,000 lives back on track – a goal well worth fighting for”.

Action Plan for Jobs: Mid East Region 2016-2017

Gerard Hilberath, Janssen Biologics; Mark Brophy, John Sisk & Son; Ambassador John Neary; Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland; An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D.

John Sisk & Son are the construction managers for the project, which was designed by Irish-headquartered PM Group, with engineering services provided by Dornan Engineering Ireland.  It involves a major fit-out at the existing Janssen Biologics facility (a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary) at Leiden to introduce a new pharmaceutical process. This will operate as a Vaccine Manufacturing launch facility facilitating Phase lll clinical trials. The overall project value is €80m.

The Taoiseach visited the project as part the 3 day Enterprise Ireland Trade and Investment Mission to Netherlands and Germany.

According to Frank Quirk, Director of John Sisk & Son: “This is an example of how relationships built in Ireland between Irish businesses can be used to win major business overseas.  The companies involved in this project have world-class skills in developing major pharma projects, and expect to deploy them elsewhere in future.”

During 2015 John Sisk & Son also completed a major project at Geel in Belgium, also for a Johnson & Johnson company.  They have worked on a number of J & J projects in Ireland in recent years.

The project itself involves a retrofit of an existing fallow space on the Leiden site spread over two floors with a new a cleanroom including three cold rooms for storing the product at each stage of the manufacturing process.  Work commenced in October 2014 and is scheduled to be substantially complete in March 2016.

SISK Group is a fifth generation, 150 year old family business founded in Cork, Ireland in 1859.  It has grown from a small local builder to an international construction company (John Sisk & Son), now diversified into consumer products, property and other investments in Ireland, U.K., Europe & the Middle East employing over 2000 people. The company has a reputation & a track record built around quality, reliability, partnership, integrity & trust.  The Group is one of the largest privately owned companies in Ireland with a turnover of €1.1 billion and over 2000 employees.

Showcase has established itself as a must-see trade event, attracting more than 5,000 buyers from Ireland and over 20 countries keen to view the latest collections from more than 450 Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople across Fashion, Jewellery and Home & Giftware. A particular emphasis is placed on new products to market, providing retailers with opportunities to discover and stock up on the latest design-led products, many of which are unique to the show.

This year, for the first time, Showcase will introduce The Knitwear Project, an exciting presentation of innovative Irish knitwear created by emerging and leading Irish designers and manufacturers. Collaborations include Peter O’Brien working with Donegal’s Fisherman Out of Ireland and twice Oscar-nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon working with Beacon Designs Ltd. in Cork. New and original work by companies such as Coletti from Wicklow, Ireland’s Eye from Dublin and recent start-up Ekotree from Clare will be unveiled and innovative designs from a strong cohort of recent graduates will also be on display. The new work developed through The Knitwear Project will be presented at Showcase 2016 in a special fashion show produced by Catherine Condell.

The Knitwear Project aims to highlight the potential of the Irish knitwear industry as a driver of Irish design, culture and exports. This new initiative has been led by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI) working closely with both Enterprise Ireland in setting the brief and with an external panel of fashion and design experts, including Deirdre McQuillan, Catherine Condell and Angela O’Kelly, as advisors to the project.

For 2016, Showcase will once again feature Home & Giftware and Jewellery categories and specialist curators Alanna Gallagher (Home & Gift) and Natasha Sherling (Jewellery) will be guiding the international buyers to the very best and exciting new products from the show’s exhibitors.

82% of international buyers attending Showcase come to purchase products that have been authentically designed and made in Ireland. Creative Island, at the heart of the show, is a special area featuring 90 DCCoI client companies selected by an independent jury for their creativity, innovation and craftsmanship. In addition, the Enterprise Zone will feature unique products from almost 100 micro enterprises throughout Ireland whose attendance is supported by their Local Enterprise Offices.

Always popular with attendees, an extensive retail seminar programme over the four days of the show will feature top international industry speakers delivering thought provoking presentations, providing retailers with expertise, research and advice.

‘Irish Times’ innovation award winners have a huge impact in their field - Irish Times 

Unemployment stable at lowest rate since 2008, job levels expected to 'grow very significantly' - Irish Examiner 

Irish firms among 3,000 exhibitors at CES in Las Vegas - RTE News

Irish researchers help develop radiation detector for ISS - Irish Times

Start-up activity at highest level since 2000 - RTE News

Euro zone business growth picks up in December as firms take on staff - RTE News

Irish company makes biggest breakthrough for microbiology testing in dairy industry in 100 years - Independent 

One-in-five now employed by foreign multinationals - Irish Times

Enterprise Ireland, the Government agency responsible for developing Irish business globally, reported the creation of 21,118 new jobs by client companies in 2015.

This translates into a net increase of 10,169 jobs for 2015 (taking account of job losses) in Enterprise Ireland supported businesses and brings total employment in these companies to 192,223 - a record high for the agency. Almost two thirds of the new jobs created were outside Dublin and all of the regions recorded increases in full-time employment over the period.

Enterprise Ireland attributes this strong performance by Irish businesses to an improving entrepreneurial climate for start-ups, dynamic Irish companies innovating and scaling up in key sectors such as food, fintech and business process outsourcing and improving international economic conditions. 

Commenting, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD said: “At the very heart of our Action Plan for Jobs is creating a powerful engine of Irish industry alongside the strong multinational sector we have built up in recent years. Irish companies have an unparalleled capacity to create jobs in towns and cities right around the country, and in recent years these companies have created more than three quarters of the 135,000 extra jobs created across the economy. In order to deliver on this plan we have put in place a range of new measures, including placing extra Enterprise Ireland staff in overseas markets and doubling the number of trade missions.

“Today’s results, the best in several decades, show that more than 10,000 extra people are at work in Irish exporting companies today compared to one year ago. They also show that almost two thirds of the new jobs were created outside Dublin and that jobs grew in every region in 2015. This did not happen by accident – it happened as the result of a carefully designed and implemented plan. I wish to pay tribute to Julie and all the team at Enterprise Ireland on this excellent achievement. If we continue to implement our plan we can have confidence that we can keep the recovery going in every part of the country in the coming years”.

Enterprise Ireland Chief Executive Julie Sinnamon said: “Irish businesses are making a huge contribution to the recovery in the economy and 2015 was a great year for job creation in the companies Enterprise Ireland supports. Our focus on helping businesses to start, innovate and scale is paying dividends with the highest level of full time jobs created and the lowest level of jobs lost in businesses that are competing globally from Ireland”.

Commenting on the importance of supporting entrepreneurial effort, Ms Sinnamon said: “Start-up companies account for over two thirds of all new jobs created in Ireland and over 200 early stage companies have been approved for investment by Enterprise Ireland. We have also supported a further 500 start-up companies through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs).

“I am also delighted that 61 of the Start-up companies that Enterprise Ireland invested in were led by female entrepreneurs and there were 15 investments in companies established in Ireland by overseas entrepreneurs last year through our new fund, which gives an indication of our competitiveness as an attractive investment location.

“Innovation is a key success factor for many Enterprise Ireland clients. In 2015 the agency invested in a record 875 collaborative research and development projects between companies and higher education. Furthermore, we have made strategic investments in new technology such as the new €35m Dairy Processing Technology Centre to position Ireland as a world leader in dairy innovation and the partners involved produce €2.5bn in exports annually”. 

A strategic priority for Enterprise Ireland is to help scale more indigenous businesses into multinationals. In 2015, 240 Enterprise Ireland clients made investments of over €500,000 in their companies reflecting increasing confidence in their scaling opportunities. The agency has also undertaken 121 international trade events and brought over 1,000 international buyers to Ireland to help clients to scale by winning more business globally.

Enterprise Ireland is working to help clients overcome barriers such as access to finance and the challenge of finding talent, particularly in the technology sector. Enterprise Ireland has a number of funds in place and was recently involved in the launch of alternative sources of finance. However, there is still a need to see greater access to finance in the market to enable companies to scale.

“In 2016, the global outlook remains positive but winning market for our exports is always challenging.  In Enterprise Ireland we will continue to focus on supporting Irish business to start, innovate and scale to win new business, compete internationally and to create new jobs,” concluded Ms Sinnamon.