Digital Discovery Programme – Supporting Irish Business
Under Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (2021-2026), projects supporting the digital and climate transition of enterprise are being funded through the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (€85 million for Ireland until 2026). The Digital Discovery grant covers projects that will support the digital transition of Irish companies, driving increased adoption and diffusion of digital technology.
The rationale for the Digital Discovery is simple, Enterprise Ireland CEO, Leo Clancy, states "Small and medium enterprises remain the backbone of the Irish economy; accounting for 99 per cent of active enterprises and 70 per cent of employment. Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices are committed to supporting these businesses with their digitalisation journeys, investing in the capabilities that will help lead them to international success." The Digital Discovery grant is to encompass a review of existing systems, processes and capabilities and an exploration of new opportunities in an increasingly digital world.
Despite a major push towards digital transformation in the past couple of years, the majority of Irish SMEs said they were less than halfway on their digital journey, while only 55 per cent said they have their own website - significantly below the EU average. The Irish Times (Apr 2022) suggest a "meaningful" national investment in digital skills could boost Ireland's gross domestic product (GDP) by €9.5 billion in the next three years.
In terms of implementation, for Irish companies to be eligible and employ 10 or more full-time staff at the time of application. Other Irish companies who meet this criteria can also apply for the same programme through other Irish economic development agencies they are clients of e.g. Local Enterprise Offices (responsible for local enterprise at a County level), Údarás na Gaeltachta (firms located in Gaeltacht - Irish speaking areas) or IDA Ireland (foreign enterprises located in Ireland) respectively.
Enterprise Ireland will provide grant funding for 80% of a project cost, up to a maximum of €6,300 (€5,000 grant). This is based on 7 days external consultancy services where the eligible costs are capped at €900 per day inclusive of travel and subsistence and all out-of-pocket expenses.
In terms of tangible outputs of the Digital Discovery Grant, Ruairí Ó hAilín, Manager Operational Excellence and Digital at Enterprise Ireland, states that each participant receives ‘a strategic, digital roadmap that outlines key milestones for organisations digital transition covering at least the next 12-18 months is co-developed with the chosen service provider. To assist in implementing firm’s roadmap, a defined (4-6 month) action plan is also co-developed.’
Mr Ó hAilín of Enterprise Ireland notes the key focus areas covered for SMEs are “1 - Skills assessment, culture of innovation, digital mind-set in a company; 2 - Process flow efficiency in the operations (Lean & Digital); 3 - Opportunities to deliver new value-added digital services or products; 4 - Use of digital systems to measure and reduce energy, emissions, and waste. The 5th are relates to a review of cyber-security strategy and processes.
However, to date the majority of Digital Discovery Supports used for Process flow efficiency in operations e.g., Lean & Digital, with 56 projects completed since July 2022 with SMEs.
Mr Ó hAilín, believes that the Digital Discovery programme is providing “more value for companies as applications are focused on competence development internally and upskilling of key staff, which is an absolute imperative for companies to take charge of their own digital journey. Previous interventions provided unintended consequences of inflating market price for certain services, like website development and also consultant led project development culture.”
Dr John Hobbs, Munster Technological University, project co-ordinator for ACCELERATE GDT believes “The Digital Discovery programme is transferrable to partner regions in the ACCELERATE GDT project as this initiative really empowers companies to strategically integrate capacity development of their people and a digital mind-set culture into the organisation. Importantly, Digital Discovery requires investment by the recipient in their own development and this achieves a higher level of buy in and autonomy. This allows companies to take the first steps towards integrating a system which is end to end, rather than point technologies that lack connection. Furthermore, it allows companies to develop internal capacities to tackle digital challenges and improve their operations.”
Claudia Soncin, Project Manager Global at TCI Network, believes “There is huge scope and benefit for programmes like Digital Discovery to be run through cluster organisations, as that collaborative and competitive element between companies co-learning can impact step changes towards digital transition targets”.