Alan Kelly
Question:240. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he will produce a national semi-conductor plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19306/23]
View answerTuesday, 25 April 2023
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Ireland is a leading centre for semiconductor technology and is home to over 100 semiconductor and communications companies, with over 25,000 people employed in the sector.
We have a significant semiconductor design and fabrication history and a strong domestic and international semiconductor industry and R&D ecosystem. In the White Paper on Enterprise which my Department published last year, we set out the Government’s commitment to play to our strengths, particularly with regards to specific sectors such as semiconductors.
The Government supports semiconductor companies as part of the wider ICT sector, with direct supports available from Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. The Microelectronic Circuits Centre Ireland (MCCI) hosted at the Tyndall National Institute, Cork, and Digital Manufacturing Ireland (launched earlier this month) have received direct support from the enterprise agencies. Ireland will continue to leverage our existing strength in the sector to reinforce the entire semiconductor ecosystem.
As semiconductors become increasingly important to our everyday lives, administrations around the world are taking measures to ensure security of supply. In this regard, Europe is no different. The Government has recently approved participation in forthcoming Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) in the microelectronics sector, which the European Commission and the German authorities are coordinating and which we anticipate will be launched before the summer. IPCEIs bring together knowledge, expertise, national financial resources and economic actors throughout the Union.
In addition to the IPCEI, earlier this month, the European Parliament and EU Member States reached political agreement on the EU Chips Act. The Chips Act will enable Europe to further enhance its RDI landscape; increase its capacity to produce semiconductor chips; and improve our security of supply. Ireland is well-positioned to play our part in realising this ambition. Officials across Government have been involved at every stage of the negotiation process and we welcome the agreement.
The Irish Government is looking forward to the next phase of implementation of the Chips Act and to realising this opportunity both for Ireland and for Europe.