Minister Lawless: "Ireland will lead with talent, science and skills in response to global trade disruption"
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Ó: An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
- Foilsithe: 4 Aibreán 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 12 Aibreán 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, in advance of his attendance at the government's Trade Forum, outlined a decisive response to recent US trade developments, focused on attracting top international researchers to Ireland and rapidly mobilising Ireland’s skills system to support affected sectors and workers.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Minister Lawless said that Ireland must double down on its core strengths of talent, skills and research to sustain competitiveness and seize opportunities emerging from global shifts.
The Minister said:
"Ireland will lead with our people. We will act swiftly to attract world-class researchers to Ireland, and to deliver the skills and talent industry needs to adapt and thrive.
"We are an agile, science-led country with a strong education and research system. That’s how we’ve bounced back from past crises and that’s how we’ll respond now. We will ‘Skill Baby Skill’."
Minister Lawless announced that Ireland will launch a new global talent recruitment initiative this summer. The programme will offer highly competitive packages, combining research funding, start-up support and infrastructure investment, to attract both established research leaders and rising stars.
The call will focus on strategic areas critical to Ireland’s future economy, including life sciences, digital and AI, sustainability, healthcare, semiconductors, and food systems. It will align closely with the priorities of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland and support the goals of Impact 2030, the national research and innovation strategy.
Minister Lawless said:
"With geopolitical uncertainty on the rise, now is the moment to position Ireland as a magnet for top global talent. Our message is clear: Ireland is open to great science, open to innovation, and open to the best minds in the world."
This initiative responds directly to the global research environment, where recent US policy changes have increased mobility among high-performing scientists. Ireland’s reputation for academic freedom, strong institutions and industry partnerships makes it a compelling destination.
In parallel, Minister Lawless confirmed that he will be engaging with industry to identify specific actions to support sectors most impacted by the new US trade measures.
Ireland’s highly responsive skills system, spanning Higher and Further Education will be central to the response. The department is already mobilising supports for reskilling and upskilling through Springboard+, micro-credentials, and apprenticeships.
The Minister said:
"We have built a flexible and responsive system that can move quickly. Whether it’s digital manufacturing, AI, or regulatory skills in sectors like biopharma, we can target provision and scale it fast."
The Minister pointed to the biopharma sector that is responsible for over €42 billion in exports and employing 50,000 people. This is a clear example of where proactive, skills-led responses are already underway.
A projected shortfall of 3,000 skilled graduates in the sector is being addressed through targeted investment in digital and regulatory training, partnerships with industry, and expansion of programmes at all levels from apprenticeships to PhD.
Minister Lawless said:
"It is at times like this that the critical role of my department comes to the fore, working hand in hand with industry to deliver the right skills, in the right place, at the right time."
Minister Lawless concluded by emphasising that Ireland’s long-term resilience will depend on sustaining its position as a knowledge-driven economy:
"The strength of our workforce, the quality of our research, and the depth of our innovation capacity have been the bedrock of Ireland’s success for 30 years. We will build on those foundations now to secure our future.
"This is a time for leadership and ambition. Ireland is ready to step up, to lead with talent, lead with science, and lead with skills."