Manufacturing in Ireland

Commit to strategically unlock the National Training Fund emphasising greater industry engagement.

Fund greater investment in the education systems, laboratory and equipment needs to effectively prepare market-ready talent. Implement a National Training Voucher scheme to increase participation in upskilling and reskilling.

Reform the work permit and visa process to streamline immigration, enhance the recognition of skills and qualifications, and facilitate international researcher mobility.

Develop a new national energy and industrial strategy setting out the opportunities for economic development that come with a more secure, sustainable and competitively priced energy system.

Reduce Ireland’s high electricity costs by accelerating the roll-out of low-cost renewable generation and storage technologies, investing in the national grid and supporting electrification of homes and businesses.

In the short-term introduce a significant annual subvention to offset system charges and the PSO levy, reduce costs and bring Ireland into line with European norms.

Scale up and expanding industry supports for renewables and energy efficiency.

Renew commitment to openness to trade and investment. Advance an ambitious EU trade policy, safeguarding an open and competitive business environment to drive Irish and EU competitiveness in collaboration with key trading partners such as the US and the UK.

Building on the political momentum generate by the Letta and Draghi reports, ensure that the new EU mandate delivers on the opportunities to develop the Single Market underpinned by fair competition and support for pro-growth policies of open Member State economies.

A commitment to introduce a PRSI rebate for exposed companies, assess the impact of all labour market policy measures on employers under the SME test, and ensure new national and EU policies support global competitiveness while respecting Ireland’s voluntarist industrial relations model.

Engage industry in developing a new Industry 5.0 action plan, replacing the Industry 4.0 Strategy, while ensuring resources and reforms are established to support AI adoption, innovation, and regulatory coherence through a new National Digital Agenda Accelerator Fund.

A commitment to support manufacturing firms by expanding the R&D tax credit to a broader range of applicable expenditure, including process innovation and new and emerging technologies, while also creating a tax system that encourages employers to support wellbeing in the workplace, reward milestones and recognise expenses without excessive reporting requirements.

Commit to effectively monitor and work to substantially reduce the cumulative national and EU regulatory and compliance burden on business.

Put the better regulation agenda back at the centre of Government and properly resource regulatory bodies to provide certainty and predictability to manufacturers in decision making timelines.

Streamline and adequately resource the planning and consents regime to enable delivery of world-class transport and utilities infrastructure.

Ensure critical infrastructure in energy, water, wastewater and other utilities is in place to help manufacturers invest in Ireland with certainty. Boost regional development by providing critical transport infrastructure in all of Ireland’s regions.

With a changing global environment, it is critical that the next Government set out clear strategies and roadmaps for the various sectors which make up Ireland’s manufacturing ecosystem to enhance and guarantee our continued competitiveness.

It is critical that manifesto commitments for a national life sciences and health technology strategy led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is put in place to match other sector led strategies.