The growing strength of the innovation culture in Irish business has been underlined by the success of the National Innovation Awards, which have attracted a higher calibre entry each year since their inception. Awareness Programme 2001, are co-sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers and The Irish Times. At the launch of the National Innovation Awards 2001 on 17 April 2001, the Minister for Science and Technology, Mr Noel Treacy TD said that Ireland's continued economic growth depended upon the ability of firms to constantly innovate.
Innovation is a key ingredient to sustained competitiveness.
That is why a total of 550 million is being provided by Government to support research, technological development and innovation in the higher education sector under the National Development Plan 2000-6. The partnership between education and enterprise that will result, and the competition we expect to see for funds based on excellent innovation and research projects, will pay dividends in the medium term. The awards, now in their fifth year, are designed to highlight the importance of innovation and technology in Irish business and among the general public. Previous winners of these awards have reported a positive impact on their business, and a boost in morale among staff. The overall winners of the 2000 National Innovation Awards were Dublin-based Scientific Systems Ltd, also winners of the Small Business Category.