ICT Hardware and Software
The following actions will be undertaken in 2012 in respect of the ICT sector. We will:
7.5.1 Implement the Action Plan on ICT Skills to address the skills needs of ICT and related sectors including the following key actions:
- Upskilling and conversion actions to increase the domestic supply of high‐level skills over the period 2012‐2014 including maximising the uptake of Springboard ICT programmes, Job‐bridge National Internship Programme, and introducing a Higher Diploma Level 8 Conversion Programme;
- Actions to improve retention rates on undergraduate ICT programmes. This includes the promotion of alternative ICT progression pathways for students;
- Actions to increase the mathematical proficiency of students at secondary level including further roll‐out of Project Maths, professional development opportunities for teachers and the implementation of a new National Numeracy and Literacy Strategy;
- Actions to ensure that higher education programmes in ICT are aligned to changing needs including the establishment of a high level ICT Foresight Group to strengthen further the dialogue between key industry and HEI decision makers;
- Actions to increase the number of students with good maths skills into ICT undergraduate programmes through a range of awareness initiatives that will complement the introduction of bonus points for maths from September 2012. (Department of Education and Skills)
7.5.2 Invest in 100mbps broadband connectivity for second level schools as an enabler for eLearning and enhancing digital skills for school leavers. (DCENR/DES/HEAnet)
7.5.3 Support an enterprise‐led International Digital Services Centre (IDSC) which will create a physical and virtual cluster of digital services companies in Ireland to be a vibrant environment where the digital content and technology communities converge to create, grow and build new business opportunities; Establish an IDSC Implementation Group to align state agencies towards a singular vision of creating the optimal business environment for International Digital Services. (D/Taoiseach)
7.5.4 Support the innovation and competitiveness agendas of the indigenous ICT sector through programmes including Innovation Partnerships and Lean Programmes to ensure that they can compete effectively both domestically and internationally. (Enterprise Ireland)
7.5.5 Increase the quantity and quality of ICT related start‐ups through initiatives such as the Competitive Start Fund and the Internet Growth Acceleration Programme. (Enterprise Ireland)
7.5.6 Support industry‐led clustering initiatives around existing key sectors notably Finance, Telecommunications and e‐Learning as well as emerging clusters in Security and Games and support companies in implementation of “new software economy” business models focused on Cloud Computing, Software as a Service (SaaS), Internet and Social Media Applications including Games. (Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland, Digital Hub)
7.5.7 Work with the existing clusters of world class ICT hardware and software companies already established in Ireland through IDA Ireland’s Client Development Programme to continually up‐grade and transform their operations to meet the changing needs of the sector globally. (IDA Ireland)
7.5.8 Identify and target major companies and activities through IDA Ireland’s ICT Global Marketing Team with a view to attracting new MNCs to establish operations in Ireland. (IDA Ireland)
7.5.9 Based on the outcome of the National Research Prioritisation Exercise, focus Government investment in ICT‐related research into areas that most directly link to the research and innovation agendas of the indigenous and foreign‐owned enterprise base in Ireland including support for:
- Data Analytics, Management, Security and Privacy;
- Future Networks and Communications;
- Digital Platforms, Content and Applications; and
- Enabling technologies such as nanotechnology, microelectronics, photonics and software engineering.
(Research funders and Prioritisation Action Group)
