268. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the key measures taken in the area of enterprise innovation since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53467/26]

Enterprise innovation is a key priority for my Department. In a fast-changing global economic environment, innovation is essential for increased productivity and sustainable growth in businesses and contributes to Ireland’s competitiveness internationally. Embracing innovation is a key focus in the Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity that I published in September last year.

My Department, through Enterprise Ireland (EI) and IDA Ireland, continues to provide a comprehensive suite of research and innovation supports to strengthen innovation capacity within indigenous and foreign-owned companies operating across all sectors of the economy.

Amongst the key measures that were delivered since January 2025 are:

• Enterprise Ireland's Technology Gateways and Technology Centres continue to give companies access to specialist expertise, applied research, prototyping and technology solutions.

• The Government, through my Department, is supporting the commercialisation of publicly funded research through the Commercialisation Fund and Knowledge Transfer Boost, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Enterprise Ireland, to maximise the commercial impact of Irish research.

• In 2025, Enterprise Ireland supported R&D investment across its client base, approving 123 projects valued at €100,000 or more. IDA Ireland supported 80 RD&I investments by its clients, that had a total value of €2.5 billion. Both agencies continue to engage with companies to support their R&D journey.

• My Department provided an additional €23m in EU and exchequer support towards the four European Digital Innovation Hubs in December 2025. These Hubs play an important role as “one-stop shops” providing access to technical expertise in digital transformation and AI, along with testing facilities, and training – all free or at a significantly reduced cost for SMEs.

• Since January 2025, I have approved a further €154m to 26 collaborative projects featuring 101 enterprise and research partners under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, administered by Enterprise Ireland. These are highly innovative projects that have the potential to alter markets and reshape the way businesses operate.

• In January 2025, Enterprise Ireland launched Sustain-FIT, an industry-academic postdoctoral research programme co-funded by Enterprise Ireland and the EU through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Programme, supporting enterprise-focused research in sustainability, climate action and green technologies.

• My Department continues to support innovation talent and entrepreneurship through the Innovators' Initiative, co-funded by the ERDF and Enterprise Ireland, with regionally based BioInnovate, DigiBio, FAST-IP and Cyber Innovate currently underway.

• Ireland reached €1.16 billion in research and innovation funding approvals under Horizon Europe in June 2026. Ireland is on track to exceed the €1.5 billion target by the end of the programme. Enterprise Ireland is the national contact point for Horizon Europe in Ireland.

• Both Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland issued new statements of Strategy in 2025, with innovation as a key theme.

• In March 2025, I published the first Progress Report for the National Smart Specialisation Strategy for Innovation 2022-2027, which included updates on ERDF funded place-based innovation programmes such as Enterprise Ireland’s Knowledge Transfer Boost.

• In May 2025, I launched Silicon Island: Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy, reinforcing Government commitment to innovation through growth, skills, RD&D, and commercialisation in that sector.

For the rest of 2026, I expect to continue the range of ongoing programmes being delivered by Enterprise Ireland throughout the year, including: Innovation Vouchers, the Technology Centres, the European Digital Innovation Hubs, Innovation Partnerships, the Commercialisation Fund, the Technology Gateways, the Commercialisation Fund, Knowledge Transfer Boost, and Innovator’s Initiative.

My Department with Enterprise Ireland will open an 8th competitive call under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund in October this year, with €40 million in available funding.

The first meeting of the new Advisory Council to the Semiconductor Sector, a key deliverable under Silicon Island strategy, will be held in Q3 of 2026.

Finally, I also expect to launch the new National AI Office in August, which will act as the central co-ordinating authority for the AI Act in Ireland.