Creating a ‘quantum literate society’
In November 2023, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, published Quantum 2030. This is Ireland’s first national quantum technologies strategy and has the stated aim of “putting Ireland in a quantum super position”.
With advances taking place in quantum research globally, there is scope for a considerable role in the technology, in the long term, to accelerate economic transformation. The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has outlined a vision by 2030 to make Ireland an internationally competitive hub in quantum technologies at the forefront of scientific and engineering advances, through research, talent, collaboration, and innovation.
The strategy has been focused on five pillars, each of these will inform sectoral aspects of the advances being made in the quantum space.
Pillar one: Excellent fundamental and applied quantum research
The first pillar of the strategy focuses on supporting “excellent fundamental and applied quantum research”. The Department states that the research carried out in forming the strategy underpins considerably advances which have taken place in quantum research in recent years globally.
“Ireland has a strong track record in fundamental and applied quantum research,” the report states, adding that there is a need to “enhance this further” and “enable breakthrough discoveries and feed the pipeline in innovations and research”.
Pillar two: Top science and engineering talent
The second pillar of the strategy is focused on enabling top science and engineering talent, which the Department describes as the “best way to move knowledge through our economy”.
The strategy document states that the Government will develop a pipeline of “agile, innovative, and highly skilled” set of experts across the spectrum of quantum science, engineering, and technology. In tandem with this, it states that it will work to ensure that there is increased equality, diversity, and inclusion in the broad sector, which it describes as a “no-regret investment for the State”.
Pillar three: National and international collaboration
The third pillar is focused on national collaboration, as well as ensuring that Irish-based experts have the means to collaborate internationally in the field of quantum technologies. This can be done through forums which exist in organisations such as the OECD, the UN, and the European Union.
“This strategy is the product of forward-looking, long-term and community-driven work to prepare Ireland for Quantum 2.0. It supports the broader national goal to equip Ireland with the workforce needed not only today but in years to come.” Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Simon Harris TD
The report states: “As a small country, we need to build on the advantage of our interconnectedness while also contributing to, and learning from, international best practice.”
Pillar four: Innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic competitiveness
The fourth pillar reflects the economic philosophy of the government in office, with the need for entrepreneurship and economic competitiveness key to the growth of and maximising of the opportunities of the research which will take place into quantum technologies.
The Department states that this pillar seeks to “stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship in quantum technologies and related areas”, including in Irish-based small and medium sized enterprises. The strategy also aims to strengthen collaborative work between academia and business in order to foster this innovation.
Pillar five: Building awareness of quantum technologies and real-world benefits
The fifth and final pillar is an all-encompassing one, with the focus on societal shifts which make the technology more accessible and better understood to the general public.
Quantum technologies are still very new and are evolving at pace, and therefore the Government states its priority of ensuring that there is a mass awareness of quantum technology and the potential real-world benefits it can bring to the economy and jobs.
“The purpose of this pillar,” the Department says, “is to have a quantum-literate society that takes full advantage, for everyone, of the benefits quantum technology can bring.”
Upon launch of the strategy, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, said: “This strategy is the product of forward-looking, long-term, and community-driven work to prepare Ireland for Quantum 2.0. It supports the broader national goal to equip Ireland with the workforce needed not only today but in years to come.
“My department will continue to work with the quantum community in Ireland and internationally to implement this strategy.”
