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New ideas - Ireland

Updated 04.2010

Legal requirements

Ireland's ambition is to develop an innovation-driven economy that maintains competitive advantage and increases productivity. The recent Innovation Policy Statement (June 2008) brings together a range of policies and actions which support innovation.

The statement identifies ten key policy areas where innovation can be used most effectively:

  • knowledge creation;
  • knowledge transfer;
  • skills development;
  • public procurement;
  • networks, clusters and gateways;
  • intellectual property protection and management;
  • services and emerging sectors;
  • entrepreneurship and business expansion;
  • partnership and workplace innovation;
  • competition and better regulation.

With its National Development Plan, the Irish government is investing €184 billion over 2007- 2013 in economic and social infrastructure, human capital and in enterprise, science and innovation.

The Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-13 constitutes one of the principal pillars of the National Development Plan (NDP) and sets a vision for Ireland to be­come a leading knowledge economy by 2013. Over the lifetime of the NDP the State will invest €8.2 billion in STI.

 was ranked 11th globally out of 82 countries as the most attractive business location in the world for 2008-2012 by the Economist Intelligence Unit. In terms of innovation, its overall level of innovation activity in enterprises was 47.2% for 2004-2006 (for small, medium and large companies, i.e. in a range from small companies with 10 or more employees to large companies with 250 or more employees), according to the Central Statistics Office and Forfás' Community Innovation Survey.

Relevant Irish legislation concerning the protection of intellectual property:

Alongside innovation, access to R&D is essential for businesses to develop and stay competitive.

Intellectual property must be protected to encourage innovation.

Resources

             Business access to state information and services   (BASIS) provides you with government information and services. It is structured around the lifecycle of a business, e.g. start-up, employing staff, etc.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment 's (DETE) Office of Science, Technology and Innovation (OSTI) is responsible for the development, promotion and co-ordination of Ireland's Science, Technology and Innovation policy; and Ireland's policy in European Union and international research activities.

The Irish Patent Office deals with enforcement of laws relating to Intellectual Property (patents, trademarks, designs and copyright) and registration.

Information regarding trade statistics and sector profiles is available from the Central Statistics Office.

The website focuses on technological developments and highlights support you can get in the area.

Programmes

The government is investing €20 billion in enterprise, science and innovation, under the  National Development Plan.

Under  Enterprise Ireland 's Business Innovation Offer, business innovation is stimulated through the provision of modest levels of financial support to enable enterprises to initiate the process of adopting innovative business practices.

           Growth Fund   which is available for 'Enterprise Ireland' clients to help them become more competitive. It covers capital investment, technology acquisition, recruitment of key managers, consultancy for the implementation of the Growth Fund proposal, management development and staff training.

           Enterprise Ireland 's eBusiness Management Initiative (eBMI) helps you improve your eBusiness/ICT management performance.

           Innovation vouchers are available to forge links between Ireland's public knowledge providers and small businesses.

Enterprise Ireland also offers a Strategic Consultancy Grant which provides companies with up to 50% of funding for consultancy services aimed at business growth.

           Grants and incentives   are available if you feel your business needs to improve its marketing skills.

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

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Enterprise Europe Network - Contact points

The Enterprise Europe Network provides businesses with information and advice through its local contact points. 

Choose your nearest contact point for personalized help and advice:

Further help

Forfás is Ireland's national policy advisory body for enterprise and science.

The Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation provides policy advice to the Irish Government on medium and long term science, technology and innovation (STI) issues. Its report "Maximising the Environment for Company Research and Development" makes a series of recommendations on how to improve the environment for companies to engage in research, development and innovation (RD&I) in Ireland.

A range of complementary support mechanisms is available from the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) to make it easier to establish, develop and expand small businesses. You will receive advice on everything from the steps involved in setting up a business to grants for feasibility studies.

The Enterprise Innovation Network initiative assists companies wishing to boost their innovation and strategic R&D.

Early-stage business support services are available to help you build a solid foundation to start up and expand your business.

Chambers Ireland is Ireland's largest business network representing more than 13,000 businesses on the island of Ireland. A social partnership organisation, Chambers Ireland is limited by guarantee and owned by its subscribing member chambers. Chambers Ireland's Smarter Business Initiative aims to develop services that help chamber members to grow and develop and add value to the operations of their businesses.