Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2026
116. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will provide an update on the national life sciences strategy consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38152/26]
View answerThe Life Sciences sector is one of the strongest drivers of our economy, fuelling both growth and exports. It combines a thriving indigenous enterprise base with some of the world's largest multinational companies, underpinned by a continually advancing world-class research ecosystem. Today, the sector employs over 100,000 people across the length and breadth of the country.
The Programme for Government, has committed to the development of a National Life Sciences Strategy to ensure this important sector remains competitive, as well as adopting a coherent and ambitious approach to future opportunities.
Governance structures have been put in place to underpin the development of the Strategy. A High Level Inter-Departmental Steering Group, chaired by my officials and comprising of senior officials across several key Government Departments, has been established to support the development and implementation of the strategy.
A dedicated working group, also chaired by my officials, with wider representation from Government Departments and relevant agencies will lead on the drafting of the Strategy.
The Strategy is being developed through extensive engagement with key stakeholders across the Life Sciences ecosystem to ensure that it is evidence-based, ambitious and responsive to emerging opportunities.
A broad programme of stakeholder engagement is currently ongoing. This includes a Public Consultation which closed in December. Submissions were received from across Irish society including from industry & medical professionals, pharmaceutical, MedTech and HealthTech companies, representative organisations, NGOs, and public bodies. These responses have been analysed by my officials and will assist the drafting of the strategy.
To complement the broad ranging public consultation, a series of more in-depth engagements with key stakeholders on core themes via consultative forums have recently concluded.
Three consultative forums involving representatives and leaders from the Irish Life Sciences industry, Government Departments and their agencies, research organisations, and NGOs were held on 12 February, 31 March and 24 April. These days focussed on “Driving Industry Growth Through Innovation and Investment", “Shaping Ireland’s Life Science Future - Talent, Skills & Sustainability” and “Supporting Better Patient Outcomes Through Innovation and Regulatory Excellence”.
At these forums, stakeholders heard from a range of expert speakers and participated in structured roundtable discussions on key questions with a focus on future priorities for the strategy. Feedback on these events has been very positive and a large amount of material has been gathered and is also being analysed to inform the drafting of the strategy.
There is also ongoing bilateral engagement with Government Departments and agencies, and other key stakeholders in the life sciences ecosystem.
The outcomes from the consultation process will be central to shaping the strategy which will be published later this year.
