» Home » Policy issues » Digital » Policy positions » Can Ireland take a bigger byte?

Ibec recommendations for a globally competitive digital economy in Ireland

The digital economy matters
Digital connects our people, enables development, boosts productivity, provides new and better services and creates many new job opportunities. The digital economy is estimated to be currently worth €12.3 billion or 6% of GDP in Ireland - a value that has grown from €4.3 billion in 2009. With sustained momentum, we could expand that value to €21.4 billion (7.9% of GDP) by 2020, create at least 56,000 extra jobs and enhance productivity across our economy in the same period. The digital economy is intrinsically linked to our future success and deserves particular attention. At 6%, our digital related GDP is higher than the EU (5.7%) and G20 (5.3%) averages. Intra-EU and extra-EU trade in digital services would be beneficial to Ireland in growth and jobs. A working EU digital single market is important to Ireland and Europe. Ireland has attracted some of the world's greatest high-tech companies and has a vibrant indigenous tech sector, but a successful digital economy also needs to involve all parts of the economy and all regions. SMEs need to be supported in their digital adoption so they are not outmanoeuvred by competitors.

Ibec's vision for our digital economy
Ibec’s vision is for a globally competitive digital economy that delivers jobs, growth and prosperity in Ireland, and that enables more effective, efficient and secure public services for Irish citizens.

Ibec's priorities for our digital economy
To realise its ambition, Ibec is recommending that Irish policy makers:
  1. Create mechanisms where government departments, state agencies, the education system and business can work much more closely with each other to identify opportunities in digital and respond collectively.
  2. Continue work at international level to ensure policy and conditions support our digital economy e.g. a EU digital single market that works.
  3. Attract global talent and invest in education and skills to enable our digital economy.
  4. Ensure a supportive climate for investment in secure and high quality digital infrastructure.
  5. Promote digital innovation and enable investment in innovative products and services.
  6. Enable digital entrepreneurship and the future workplace.

To read detailed proposals in this comprehensive Ibec report, please click on the attached file below.