Geological Survey Ireland, funded by the Government of Ireland, today (Tuesday the 6th of November), announced a number of new products and initiatives following from the strategic review of its Business Cluster initiative, Geoscience Ireland, which saw the creation of 1,103 jobs in the sector.
Geoscience Ireland, is funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, with support from Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Business, Enterprise and Innovation and has been included as an exemplar case study in the Government Action Plan for Jobs
In 2012, Geological Survey Ireland, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, brought together companies in a cluster to grow their businesses by collaboration to expand the sector. To date, that cluster has reached almost €1bn in annual turnover -1,103 jobs have been created since the cluster commenced in 2012, bringing the total number of staff in the member companies to 3,675, 835 of which are with the cluster's SME members. The Strategic Review focuses on the next 4 years and recommends that the cluster now move to prepare for the evolving challenges of Brexit, finding talent to sustain growth and increased collaboration among the member companies to win work overseas.
Minister Sean Canney, TD, Minister for Natural Resources and Rural Development commented, "I am delighted that this Strategic Review is released today and to see the progress across so many areas being reported by Geological Survey Ireland. This includes vital work in rural areas such as groundwater flood mapping being developed for OPW, further progress on airborne surveying with Tellus and offshore mapping under the INFOMAR Programme which are deliverables under Project Ireland 2040"
Further key deliverables and measures announced by GSI today include:
New National Geological Map at 1:100,000 scale.
New Physiographic Units maps developed for the EPA and EU Water Framework Directive.
MoU signed Economic and Social Research Unit Behavioural Economics Unit, to tackle the challenge of public understanding of Geoscience.
Research Initiatives: Investment in the GSI Research Programme (approx. €1.5m in 2018) has leveraged 3 times that amount through co-funding and collaborations increasing the visibility and impact of geoscience research in Ireland and internationally. GSI will issue a call in November for the next round of Geoscience Research Awards, funding post-doctoral projects and academic teaching buyout, with a value of approximately €500,000.
GSI will issue all of these new products at their conference today, Meeting the Challenges, in Dublin Castle. In addition they will also provide updates on all their programmes including Tellus, INFOMAR and Groundwater and delegates will hear from key stakeholders including Irish Water and Teagasc.
ENDS
Further information contact DCCAE Press Office
NOTES TO EDITORS
Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) is the National Earth Science Agency and a division of the Department of Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment. The GSI is responsible for creating a broad range of products, including maps, reports and databases, and acts as a knowledge centre and project partner in all aspects of Irish geology.
Geoscience Ireland (GI), is a network of 36 companies, delivering integrated expertise in water, minerals, environmental and infrastructure development to clients in over 50 countries. GI is supported by Geological Survey Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. The GI network provides design, consultancy and contracting services to multilateral agencies, governments and the private sector. Download Strategic Review.
Announcements at the Conference
New National Geological Map. This new map at 1:100,000 scale is a fully updated revision of the national geological map, originally completed in 2006. The new map takes account of results of the Tellus airborne geophysical survey and GSI field mapping programmes. It is a fully digital product and available on GSI website.
Physiographic Units Map. This map is a derivative product based on geology and digital elevation (topography) to give a classification of the Irish landscape. The map was produced for the EPA to support Ireland's commitments under the EU Water Framework Directive and in support of the National Landscape Strategy (2015-25). Access Physiographic Units Map.
Research Initiatives: Investment in the GSI Research Programme (approx. €1.5m in 2018) has leveraged 3 times that amount through co-funding and collaborations increasing the visibility and impact of geoscience research in Ireland and internationally. GSI will issue a call in November for the next round of Geoscience Research Awards, funding post-doctoral projects and academic teaching buyout, with a value of approximately €500,000.
MoU with ESRI; GSI have signed an MoU with the Economic and Social Research Institute and this will include collaborating with them on an EU project for mineral exploration & risk perception and developing geoscience/social science links.