The tech sector representative groups of Ibec, ICT Ireland and the Irish Software Association (ISA), have today published 'Making Ireland a global technology powerhouse', which sets out the sector's key recommendations for the next government.
Both groups believe that with the right policies, support and direction, Ireland can be the best country in the world for talent in tech companies, a global digital leader and among the most attractive locations to invest.
The report makes 30 recommendations that the next Government should consider for the general election of 2016 in order to make Ireland a tech powerhouse. Some of the recommendations include rapidly developing a coding curriculum at second level and supporting new tech apprenticeship models.
Furthermore, they have called for Ireland to become a global leader in tackling the gender imbalance in the sector and for the establishment of a full Department and Minister for Digital Affairs.
Director of ICT Ireland and the ISA, Paul Sweetman says, "Ireland is home to nine of the top 10 global software companies, nine of the top 10 US technology companies and all of the top 10 "born on the internet" companies. The sector employs over 105,000 people, up 40% from 2010.
"Recently, it has often been the case that where one company finishes a recruiting round, another has a major jobs announcement. Last month alone, over 1,100 new jobs in tech companies were announced. We also have a growing indigenous technology sector that employs 12,000 people and has total sales revenue of more than €2 billion per annum. Many of these companies are leading exporters and becoming tech multinationals in their own right.”
Source: www.businessworld.ie
