Press release
Publication of Harnessing Digital 2022 Progress Report
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
The government today published a Progress Report on our National Digital Strategy, Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework, which is helping to drive the digital transition across our economy and society, to the benefit of all.
The strategy reflects Ireland’s ambition to remain a digital leader at the heart of European and global digital developments. It places a strong emphasis on balance, inclusiveness, security and safety, and re-enforces work towards achieving Ireland’s climate targets.
Cognisant of Ireland’s important role in implementing digital regulations, Harnessing Digital re-enforces our commitment to a modern, cohesive, well-resourced network of regulators to effectively oversee and enforce digital regulations.
While progress has been made across all the Strategy’s dimensions (Enterprise, Infrastructure, Skills, and Public Services), and Ireland retained its strong position of 5th out of the EU27 in the EU’s 2022 Digital Economy and Society Index, the government remains focused on driving further progress across all aspects of our digital agenda.
This is increasingly important given the significant challenges, and economic headwinds currently facing businesses and households, including the technology sector. The government is committed to supporting those affected by recent job losses in the sector, to maintaining our focus on competitiveness, and ensuring that Ireland is the best place in Europe to invest and grow for the future, in this digital age.
Significant progress under the Strategy:
In welcoming the progress achieved since the Plan’s publication in February, the Taoiseach noted:
“Ireland remains committed to being a digital leader in Europe, and beyond - to driving our own green and digital transformations, for a more sustainable future, and to ensuring that our regulatory framework is equipped to play its part. This Progress Report highlights the breadth of work delivered across the digital agenda this year.
“Ensuring we maintain our focus on driving progress across our broad digital agenda will be a key priority over the period ahead, so that everyone can benefit from our digital transition. This is particularly important given the challenges currently facing the technology sector, and households and businesses in general.”
The Tánaiste said:
“Embracing digital technologies is crucial, both for our continued economic progress, and to better serve our people. This Progress Report highlights the significant work undertaken since the strategy’s launch in February, including in the area of enterprise.
“Adopting digital technologies can benefit businesses in many ways, helping them to better understand their customers, reduce their costs and improve their products. It is a vital next step for many businesses.
“A competitive, innovative and resilient enterprise base will provide high-quality jobs and employment opportunities in all parts of the country. Maximising the opportunities digitalisation offers will really help to achieve this.”
Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework was launched in February 2022.
It sets out a roadmap to drive and enable the digital transition across the economy and society, to maximise the efficiency of public services, the productivity and innovation of enterprise, and our overall competitiveness and sustainability.
Targets and workstreams are included across four dimensions, in line with the EU’s Digital Decade - Digitalisation of Enterprise; Skills; Digital Infrastructure; and Digitalisation of Public Services.
The strategy re-enforces our commitment to a modern, cohesive, well-resourced network of regulators to effectively oversee and enforce digital regulations.
Implementation is progressed via the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment, and supporting groups.
Progress across all four dimensions since its launch is detailed in the Progress Report.