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Ireland

Following a prolonged economic recession preceded by a severe financial crisis, determined policy implementation has restored confidence in the Irish economy and underpinned the strong cyclical recovery now underway. The Irish economy is projected to continue its robust expansion in 2016 and 2017.
Both exports and business investment, which surged due to a temporary impetus by multinational enterprises, are expected to moderate but remain solid. Unemployment is still high, although it has declined substantially in the last few years. An important challenge is to improve long-term growth prospects by making the Irish-owned business sector more dynamic, productive and innovative, while staying attractive to foreign investors.
GERD increased from 1.28% of GDP in 2007 to 1.49% in 2014, mainly thanks to an increase in BERD. Owing to the impact of the recent crisis, public support for R&D and innovation is likely to remain under pressure in the years ahead as the government seeks to further ease the national debt burden.
The Irish government has recently formulated its new Innovation 2020 strategy, which seeks to position Ireland as a “global innovation leader”, with a strong, sustainable economy and a better society. More specifically, this translates into excellent research performed in strategically important areas which is relevant and makes an impact on the economy and society; a strong innovative and internationally competitive enterprise base; a renowned pool of talent in Ireland’s public research system and industry, which are able to maximise the exchange of talent and knowledge; a coherent joined up innovation eco system that is responsive to emerging opportunities, delivering an enhanced impact through the creation and application of knowledge; and an internationally competitive research system that acts as a magnet and catalyst for talent and industry.
In the context of Innovation 2020, Ireland has recommitted to a research intensity target of 2% of GDP by 2020, which would mean stepping up public investment in R&D to leverage increased private investment.
Hot Issues
Strengthening public R&D capacity and infrastructures
STIO Questionnaire Responses
Supporting R&D and innovation in firms
Improving overall human resources and skills
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Targeting priority areas/sectors
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Addressing challenges of STI globalisation and increasing international cooperation
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Selected Highlights
STI policy governance
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Technology transfers and commercialisation
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Clusters and regional policies
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Relevant Indicators

- Gross domestic expenditure on R&D
- Business enterprise expenditure on R&D
- Higher education expenditure on R&D
- Government intramural expenditure on R&D
- Public sector expenditure on R&D, financed by industry
- Government budget outlays for R&D
- ICT investments
- Tertiary education expenditure
- Employment in S&T occupations
- Internet users
Related Country Reports

- Going for Growth, Ireland (Inclusive Business Creation: Good Practice Compendium), 2016
- Ireland (Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs 2016: An OECD Scoreboard), 2016
- Ireland: Enterprise Ireland Female Entrepreneurship Strategy (The Missing Entrepreneurs 2015: Policies for Self-employment and Entrepreneurship), 2015
- Ireland (SMEs, Entrepreneurship and Innovation), 2010
- Ireland (The Call for Innovative and Open Government: An Overview of Country Initiatives), 2011
Related STI Outlook Resources
