Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
456. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on Ireland's Spaces Strategy for Enterprise, including performance on goals set out in the 2019 to 2025 strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15113/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Space Strategy for Enterprise 2019-2025 set out an ambitious plan to grow a sustainable, innovation-driven space-active industry in Ireland, built around five key pillars: investment, skills development, awareness of space, sectoral business strategy, and the international promotion of Ireland’s capabilities.
When the Strategy was launched in 2019, 70 Irish companies were engaged with the European Space Agency (ESA). By the end of 2025, the number of Irish-based enterprises benefitting from engagement with ESA had grown to 126, exceeding the Strategy’s target of 100 companies and reflecting a significant expansion of space-related activity among Irish SMEs, start-ups and established enterprises.
The target to increase public and private investment in ESA by 50% over the lifetime of the Strategy was also achieved ahead of schedule.
Progress has been made across all parts of the Strategy: 15 of the 19 actions have now been achieved with some ongoing by their nature, whilst the remainder continue to be progressed. A Progress Report for January - December 2024 will be published shortly on the Department’s website and will provide further detail on delivery under the Strategy. Earlier progress reports are also available on the Department's website.
Building on the momentum of the Strategy, Government approved a record investment of €170 million at the ESA Ministerial Council last November, up from €125 million in 2022. This increased investment secures Ireland’s ESA subscription to 2030 and reinforces our determination to strengthen Ireland’s role in Europe’s space programme while maximising commercial returns for Irish enterprise.
Work on the next iteration of the Strategy has commenced with a preliminary scoping exercise being drafted as the basis for the development of a refreshed Strategy in 2027.
