Manufacturing

The Government will target a number of specific actions in support of the Manufacturing Sector in 2012 in order to address the challenges outlined above. We will:

7.1.1 Articulate its clear commitment to manufacturing in Ireland and elaborate on the range of initiatives and supports that will be put in place to demonstrate this commitment. (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation).

7.1.2 Establish a Manufacturing Development Forum (MDF) to assist the Government in identifying the needs of manufacturing enterprises and to progress a transformation agenda in this area. (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation).

7.1.3 Seek new investment into manufacturing. IDA Ireland will continue to attract new investment into manufacturing, particularly in growth areas identified above; the other enterprise development agencies will support new indigenous start‐ups and will seek to maximise the employment in Ireland from indigenous enterprises with global operations. (IDA, Enterprise Ireland)

7.1.4 Work actively with existing indigenous and overseas manufacturing enterprises to support a transformation agenda aimed at technology deepening and productivity growth. IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland have a range of programmes in place to assist enterprises with this transformation. We will complete evaluations of all agency programmes and schemes to ensure that they are adequately addressing the needs of today’s manufacturing businesses. (IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Forfás)

7.1.5 Examine financial supports for manufacturing in the context of negotiations on EU State Aids. Ireland will seek to put in place the optimal arrangements for support of the manufacturing sector in negotiations at European level. (DJEI, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland)

7.1.6 Undertake a detailed assessment of manufacturing skills needs and use the new structures for training and skills development to address both the immediate needs of the manufacturing sector and to anticipate the longer term needs of the sector (Forfás, EGFSN)

7.1.7 Evaluate the supports provided for in‐company research and innovation and fine‐tune the supports offered based on this review. We will also target investment in higher education and other public research into areas of direct relevance to the enterprise base including the needs of manufacturing enterprises. Advanced manufacturing will be specifically addressed in implementing the Government’s priority research areas. (Research funders and Prioritisation Action Group)

7.1.8 Develop a long term vision for the manufacturing sector and put in place a strategic plan that will help to realise this vision. The Manufacturing Development Forum will be instrumental in this regard. (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Forfás)