Details Announced Of Investment In Research Programme For Jobs Growth

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D., has announced details of the €1 million initial investment in a research programme in data analytics, a key sector growing at 40% per annum worldwide targeted for jobs growth as part of the 'Disruptive Reforms' in the Government's Action Plan for Jobs 2013.

Top-tier multinational and Irish ICT companies will lead the research agenda at the technology centre. CeADAR’s industry partners include: eBay, Accenture, Dell, Fidelity Investments, Adaptive Mobile, Climote, Cylon, GBR, HP, Moving Media, Nathean Technologies, Nucleus Venture Partners, and Qumas. Research will be focused on developing ways of generating business, profit and ultimately jobs from the high-growth area of data analytics.

Data Analytics is about the conversion of large amounts of raw data into valuable information through the use of statistical techniques and advanced software. An Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland initiative, the initial research phase of the Technology Centre in Data Analytics called CeADAR, the Centre for Applied Data Analytics Research, will aim to make Ireland a world leader in this area.

CeADAR will conduct initial research into technology challenges that have been identified by industry representatives. Led by University College Dublin, the research consortium which includes University College Cork, and Dublin Institute of Technology, will use the funding to work with a group of companies to accelerate the development, deployment and adoption of Data Analytics technology. This initial research programme is a significant step towards a government funded 5 year investment in a Technology Centre for Data Analytics.

Minister Bruton said: "A key part of this Government's plan for growth and jobs is identifying areas where we believe Ireland has distinct advantages compared to other countries, and taking steps necessary to ensure that we realise our potential for employment in those areas. Data Analytics is one such sector, and the Government believes that between our climate, skills base and existing strengths in ICT, we have the potential to reap substantial benefits in terms of jobs and growth from the global expansion of this sector.

"Establishing an industry-led technology centre in this sector will ensure that the major research strengths we have built up over the past decade are directed firmly towards viable business ideas and ultimately jobs. I am determined to ensure that through continued implementation of our plan, we target growth in key sectors and create the jobs we need."

(CD)