Minister Welcomes Start Of ID2015

Ged Nash, Minister for Business and Employment, has welcomed the commencement of ID2015 – a year of Irish Design.

The year-long programme, which aims to celebrate and promote Irish design, will have a strong focus on creating sustainable jobs, creating new design start-up companies and growing design led exports.

The initiative is being supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Already, the first round of the Design Innovation Fund has been awarded to 126 successful applicants from 11 counties. A second round of funding for community-led events will be issued in March. Alongside the national programme of events, ID2015 will also focus on job creation, growing exports and increasing competitiveness.

Minister Nash commented: "There is a fantastic programme of events taking place right around the country during 2015 both north and south of the border as part of ID2015.

"There is a chance for every county in Ireland to play an active part in ID2015 through activities like the Design Innovation Fund, which will see funding provided to innovative design organisations, education providers and others like design hubs to run networks, hold cutting edge events, or host exhibitions and workshops."

Mr Nash added: "Showcasing Irish design will be a huge part of ID2015. But, hand in hand with that, we have ambitious targets to create high quality jobs and new start-up companies. Increasing design-led exports will be done through bringing the best of our design companies on targeted trade missions abroad and to high profile design events."

Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Design and Craft Council of Ireland said: "We look forward to a comprehensive programme of activities that will engage people throughout Ireland. Events throughout the year will highlight the importance of design in enhancing our lives, our environment and our society, and encourage investment to develop the design sector into the future."

(JP/CD)