Government bodies must take lead if sector is to achieve ambitious targets and create jobs – Minister BrutonMinister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton T.D. has written to Government colleagues to establish a cross-Government implementation group on cloud computing, he announced in a keynote speech to a cloud computing conference organised by Public Affairs Ireland in Dublin this morning. The sole focus of the group will be to support the implementation of the ambitious Programme for Government commitment on cloud computing.
In his speech, Minister Bruton said:
“Ireland is extremely well-placed to take advantage of the rapidly-growing
international potential of cloud computing. A recent report commissioned by
Microsoft has estimated that by 2014 the cloud computing industry in
Ireland could be worth €9.5billion and employ 8,600 people. Now more than
ever we must do everything we can to seize opportunities like this.
“These jobs will not be created automatically, and government must act
decisively and urgently if we are to position Ireland as a world leader in
this high-growth sector. In May I announced the establishment of a
€5million applied research centre in cloud computing, which will bring
industry and researchers in this sector together in order to turn good
ideas into good jobs.
“However it is also crucial that Government, as a major user of IT in the
economy, take a lead in this area in order to provide opportunities and
economies of scale for growing businesses in this sector, and the Programme
for Government contains a commitment to implement an ambitious series of
policies to achieve this.
“That is why I have written to Government colleagues proposing the
establishment of a cross-Government implementation group to support the
implementation of the Programme for Government commitment. It is proposed
that this group will include representatives of all Departments and
agencies responsible for all aspects of cloud computing policy:
expenditure, IT procurement, security, infrastructure and industrial
strategy. Other people will be invited to participate as appropriate, and a
parallel consultation process will take place with industry representatives
to ensure that their views are fully taken on board at all times.
“Government does not create jobs: growing businesses do, but Government has
a key role in creating the environment where those businesses can grow and
create the jobs that are so badly needed in our society. We must not forget
however that Government is also a significant economic actor in its own
right, and it is crucial that the public sector takes a lead in reducing
costs, improving access to finance and encouraging innovation, particularly
in the sectors which we have earmarked for growth and job-creation in the
future. With ambitious policies and determined action from Government we
can get jobs and growth back in the economy again.”
NOTE TO EDITORSThe proposed Implementation Group will include representatives of relevant
Departments as well as the Data Protection Commissioner, the IDA and
Enterprise Ireland.
The first meeting is proposed for later this month.
A parallel consultation process with industry will be conducted through ICT
Ireland, with a first meeting also later this month.
The relevant commitment in the Programme for Government is as follows:
“We will make Ireland a leader in the emerging I.T. market of cloud
computing by
promoting greater use of cloud computing in the public sector, organising
existing
State supports for cloud computing into a package to promote Ireland as a
progressive place for I.T. investment, establishing an expert group to
address new security and privacy issues arising from the use of cloud
computing and reviewing the adequacy of current legislation and identify
what steps need to be taken to ensure a supportive regulatory environment”.
The key findings and recommendations of the Microsoft report are as
follows:
“Cloud computing is a major evolving industry that will revolutionise how
businesses and public sector organisations run their operations and deliver
products and services. It will be a catalyst for significant changes in the
national and global economy. If Ireland acts now, Cloud Computing will
deliver much needed competitiveness and jobs for the Irish economy.
Cloud computing sales by Irish firms could reach €9.5bn per annum by 2014
and provide jobs for 8,600 people as current Information Technology
activities migrate to the Cloud. New services and markets will also emerge
as a result of the Cloud, creating additional opportunities for Irish
firms.
Early adoption of Cloud Computing by Irish users will take €0.5bn per annum
of costs out of Irish organisations.
Cloud Computing makes Information Technology a low operating cost rather
than an expensive capital investment. This will help small firms in all
parts of the economy to grow, and could lead to the formation of 2,000 new
small and medium enterprises outside the Information Technology sector.
Cloud Computing will lower the costs of delivery while also improving the
quality of public services in Ireland.
Cloud computing has the potential to transform how children and students
are educated in Ireland”.
“Ireland is an ideal base for the location of firms engaged in Cloud
Computing activities. In order to capture a large share of the emerging
world market (Analysts’ estimates of the size of this market by 2014 range
from €40bn to €110bn) in this area and to capitalise on our assets, it is
critical that we move fast to create a global reputation in the area of
Cloud. Key actions to ensure that this potential is realised are:
· Organising existing publicly funded and Government Agency supports
into a Cloud Cluster Programme;
· Closing the gaps in awareness of Cloud Computing within the public
and private sector;
· Labour force development to close the skill gaps required in support
the growth of a Cloud based industry;
· Implementing a high profile public sector Cloud based project to
demonstrate leadership both in Ireland and internationally;
· Rolling out a series of initiatives to promote the use of Cloud
Computing by small businesses and start ups in Ireland;
· Ensuring the continued investment in broadband and international
Internet connectivity to ensure sufficient capacity exists to support
the growth of the Cloud industry”.