Investment in research programme in data analytics announced

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD has announced details of a €1m initial investment in a research programme in data analytics, a key sector growing at 40pc per annum worldwide targeted for jobs growth as part of the ‘Disruptive Reforms’ in the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs 2013.

Top tier multinational and Irish ICT companies will lead the research agenda at the technology centre.

Industry partners include eBay, Accenture, Dell, Fidelity Investments, Adaptive Mobile, Climote, Cylon, GBR, HP, Moving Media, Nathean Technologies, Nucleus Venture Partners and Qumas.

An Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland initiative, the initial research phase of the technology centre in data analytics called CeADAR – the Centre for Applied Data Analytics Research – will aim to make Ireland a world leader in this area.

Research will be focused on developing ways of generating business, profit and ultimately jobs from the high growth area of data analytics.

CeADAR will conduct initial research into technology challenges that have been identified by industry representatives.

Led by University College Dublin (UCD), the research consortium, which includes University College Cork (UCC) and Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), will use the funding to work with a group of companies to accelerate the development, deployment and adoption of data analytics technology.

CeADAR’s lead team will be based at NexusUCD.

“Establishing an industry-led technology centre in this sector will ensure that the major research strengths we have built up over the past decade are directed firmly towards viable business ideas and ultimately jobs,” said Minister Bruton.

“I am determined to ensure that through continued implementation of our plan, we target growth in key sectors and create the jobs we need.”

Gearoid Mooney, director of ICT commercialisation at Enterprise Ireland added: “Data is only as valuable as the information and insights we can extract from it. Industries across the world are looking for ways to extract information and insights that will help them make better decisions and create competitive edge.

“The focus of the researchers in UCD, UCC and DIT will be to create new technologies, usage models and commercial applications to address the short to medium term technology needs of the Irish-based industry.”

Karina Corbett