Ireland launches €40 million innovation fund amid digital skills warnings

Ireland has launched its eighth call for the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF), offering €40 million to support collaborative projects in high-impact sectors. Announced by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, the funding aims to connect the research community with industry to commercialize technologies in fields such as artificial intelligence, life sciences, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. Applications are open until February 3, 2027, for consortia involving at least three partners, including at least one SME.

Simultaneously, Ireland faces a growing digital skills gap. A report from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) warns that the demand for specialist technology expertise—including machine learning, cloud infrastructure, and data analysis—is outstripping the available talent pool. The report suggests that without intervention, this gap could widen by 2030, potentially impacting economic resilience and the ability of both large and small businesses to compete globally.