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Minister Richard Bruton and Minister Sean Sherlock speaking with Prof Stefano Sanvito, AMBER (red tie), and Prof Mark Fergeson, DG of SFI

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton, together with Research & Innovation Minister Sean Sherlock today launched the Advanced Materials and Bio-Engineering Research Centre (AMBER).

€35 million of the Centre's funding is provided by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Science Foundation Ireland (SFI),

AMBER will work to translate science into new discoveries and devices for a range of sectors, particularly ICT, medical devices and industrial technologies.

Minister Bruton said:

Almost 50% of IDA jobs wins are connected to SFI research projects – that’s almost 6000 jobs per year over recent years. Therefore, if we are to achieve the level of job-creation we need, we must ensure that our science and research spending is properly targeted at employment opportunities.

The establishment of AMBER is a key part of this plan. Nanoscience and materials science are areas where we rank well inside the top ten internationally for research. The scale and ambition of this centre means that we can attract 18 industry partners and leading international researchers who can turn these good ideas into good jobs. I commend all involved and wish them every success with this crucial project

The AMBER Research Centre is led by Trinity College Dublin in collaboration with University College Cork and the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. AMBER will directly support 99 jobs and there is potential for further job creation.