Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is announcing that its digital mapping system is being used by Inland Fisheries Ireland and the sea angling community in Ireland to help safeguard fish populations and protect marine ecosystems. Esri’s ArcGIS system supports the Irish Marine Recreational Angling Survey (IMREC) which aims to estimate sea anglers’ catches in Ireland. Up to 250,000 recreational sea anglers are active along the 3,000km of Irish coastline annually.
Inland Fisheries Ireland is Ireland’s state agency for protecting, managing and conserving inland fisheries and sea angling resources. To meet its EU data collection requirements around species, locations, and volumes of fish caught annually in European waters, Inland Fisheries Ireland saw a need for a collaborative approach to collate its own data with self-reporting by recreational sea anglers.
Turning anglers into citizen scientists, Esri’s Survey123 app has transformed reporting and enables anglers around Ireland to gather and upload real-time information from any device about the fish they catch and release. This information is then automatically transferred to a shared repository, called ArcGIS Hub, where it can be easily viewed by the anglers and monitored by Inland Fisheries Ireland to identify patterns in the species distribution, volumes and weight of fish caught, and estimated catch rates. Whether they are shore anglers, small boat anglers or charter boat anglers, each member has access to a personalised dashboard where they can track their own contributions and angling successes.
Inland Fisheries Ireland has greater control over and confidence in the accuracy and consistency of the data collected, and the system encourages anglers to play an active role in helping to conserve Ireland’s fish stocks. Data is aggregated for reporting and the system minimises manual data entry, is scalable and can grow with the scheme. The EU is particularly interested in data on cod, pollock, sharks, rays, sea bass and highly migratory species such as tuna, but the solution can be configured to capture data on other species too, giving Inland Fisheries Ireland flexibility for the future.
The state agency had success recently using Esri’s ArcGIS system to enable accurate reporting for a catch, tag and release programme for the critically endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna.
William Roche, Senior Research Officer at Inland Fisheries Ireland: “ArcGIS will enable us to recruit anglers as citizen scientists and crowdsource the large volume of data that we require for EU and national reporting. With more anglers collecting data, we will be able to build up a better picture of the state of fish stocks off Ireland’s coast, particularly for anglers. “The personalised dashboards will help to make the recording of data a habitual activity for anglers.We hope they will enjoy entering their catch data and take pride in their role as observers and stewards of Ireland’s fish stocks.”
Schalk Van Lill, Customer Success Manager, Esri Ireland:“We are delighted to work with Inland Fisheries Ireland on this project and enable the ongoing monitoring and safeguarding of fish populations. Our GIS solution has provided Inland Fisheries Ireland with a feasible and affordable way to capture additional data to complement the other data collected for the EU. “Citizen science like this provides broad spatial coverage all around the coastline of Ireland, enabling Inland Fisheries Ireland to efficiently comply with requirements. The solution can be easily scaled up to accept data uploads from more and more participants, allowing Inland Fisheries Ireland to expand the scheme over time.”
Historians separate human history into different eras that defined the time’s culture, technological development, and societal development. This practice gives phrases like the “Classical Period,” the Dark Ages, the Industrial Era, etc. And while often this nomenclature is not the most accurate, it is undoubtedly the case that our current era will most likely go down in history as the Digital or Cyber era.
After all, it is true that in today’s world, our society is much more digitally advanced than it has ever been. More importantly, we live in a time when digital and cyber technology is developing at an unimaginable rate. People increasingly want the availability and accessibility of the internet and computer science. Whether it be online shopping, paying bills online, or storing cash online, most people are willing to accept these changes with open arms.
What are Digital Wallets?
Before we get to the nitty gritty, we must first describe digital wallets. After all, the phenomenon is relatively new, and it is necessary to explain what they are to those who might not know. So, just what is a digital wallet?
The term refers to a service that allows people to store money and perform transactions online. Most people reading this have likely heard of certain digital wallets, even if they are unfamiliar with the term itself. Paypal, the Cash App, etc., are hugely popular among various groups of people, especially online punters, and gamblers. It is because many online casinos accept Cash App payments and deposits.
And so, now that we have explained what digital wallets are let us delve deeper into the phenomenon. Are digital wallets the new currency? And just why are they becoming so popular anyways? Why are digital wallets so important, and what can they be used for? Let’s find out.
What Makes Digital Wallets So Popular?
So, just how popular are digital wallets? According to a study that looked into 2021 transactions, Digital wallets made up almost half of the global e-commerce transactions. The precise percentage is 49%, more than double the percentage of credit card e-commerce transactions, which remained at 21%. According to experts, the projection for the end of 2022 is that the percentage of e-com transactions will reach 50%, and may even exceed that number by the end of the next year.
But what is it that makes digital wallets so popular? The most common reason you will hear people say that digital wallets are growing in fame is the streamlined process that digital wallet users follow to make their payments. Simply put, digital wallet development has led to many satisfied consumers. They all claim that transactions move much smoother and faster than most would be familiar with traditional transactions.
Future of Digital Wallets
But still, the question of the future of digital wallets remains. So, what do you think the future of digital wallets will be? Will they remain and continue to grow in popularity? Or will people turn their backs on them and look at digital wallets as an outdated fad? Most analysts and experts seem to think we are heading in a direction that supports the former. After all, more and more people recognize digital wallets as a viable and superior method for making transactions online.
However, some remain suspicious, especially considering the distrust people already have towards the cyber world. Luckily, there are many ways that users canprotect themselves from cybercriminals. Furthermore, digital wallet development is placing more and more emphasis on cyber security. This means that it is very likely that the future of digital wallets will result in easier and faster transactions and safer transaction sells.
Wrapping It Up
As more and more younger people grow into adulthood, digital wallets’ popularity is increasing. Younger people arefar more likely to embrace new technology simply because they are far more likely to understand it, having grown up during the period when the technology was first introduced.
Popular digital wallets like Cash App and PayPal are growing in popularity and are being accepted by more markets each year. And of course, with each passing year, the technology behind digital wallets is improving, making them safer, faster, and overall better. With all this in mind, digital wallets’ future seems relatively bright.
A new survey by Deloitte Ireland shows an overwhelming preference towards purchasing home and motor insurance through digital channels.
When asked what their preferred channel to purchase home insurance was, 60% of respondents showed a preference for online, via mobile (23%) or computer (37%). These results were echoed when respondents were prompted to give their preference for purchasing motor insurance, with 57% stating online channels as their top preference, via mobile (22%) or computer (35%). In addition to online channels, phone remains a popular choice with 31% of respondents citing it as their first choice when purchasing home insurance, and 29% for motor insurance.
Digital is table stakes but concerns around personal data remain
Irish customers have a somewhat conservative view in relation to the level to which they are willing to share more sensitive personal data with insurers to enable value adding or other data-based services, even if there is a potential cost reduction involved. In terms of data types, respondents were most reluctant to share data associated with their social media history (20%) and previous spending patterns (24%). The survey of 516 participants carried out found that this resistance was less obvious for information such as insurance history (61%), car (56%) and home usage (46%).
Commenting on the survey results, Ciara Regan, Partner and Insurance, Deloitte Ireland said: “Clearly, insurance companies must continue to offer the channels most favoured by their customers, and ensure the services are tailored and personalised. While digital is now table stakes, it can’t be at the expense of customer relationships. Almost a third of consumers across all age groups prefer to buy home insurance over the phone. Possible reasons for this could include an appreciation for personalised customer service and experience, as well as the belief that negotiating over the phone can yield a better price.
“While the research does demonstrate a clear preference for digital interactions, some methods of communications such as ‘online account notifications’ are of little interest – with only 5% favouring them. This shows how cognisant insurance companies need to be about how they engage through digital channels. The survey shows that younger people (18-24) are more averse to sharing personal data with motor insurers than their older counterparts” continued Regan. “This could be because younger consumers are more aware of the dangers of data and identity theft. Whatever the case may be, the survey results suggest that insurers face a steep hill to climb if they are targeting data-dependent features at the younger market.”
Customers want simplicity, flexibility, and transparency
Customers want products that are simple, easy to purchase and use, respondents favouring the “basic” product as it is “convenient, cost effective and easy to engage with”. Customers also demonstrated a preference towards having the ability to adjust their insurance as their financial and life circumstances change, respondents stating that “paying according to your needs and affordability”, is a key driver in their preference towards the “self-controlled & adjustable” product. Another product you could try out too is Agile Rates.
This is unsurprising, given that 50% of respondents stated they have been working from home since the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic, as well as 60% of respondents stating that they have driven their vehicle less in the last two years.
“It is therefore important that insurers strike the right balance when designing and delivering new products and propositions to their customers,” said Regan.
“They need to meet customer expectations in terms of offering them new and interesting features that differentiate them in the market but these need to be underpinned by clear and tailored messaging as well as seamless experiences that customers find easy to engage with.”
Value and ease of purchase ranks higher than brand
The way consumers are purchasing their insurance is changing, and as a result reduced levels of brand recognition were evidenced across both home and motor products. Insurers need to have a clear strategy with the right capabilities to deliver differentiated experiences. A previous Central Bank of Ireland survey showed that 79% of respondents cited price as their top purchasing decision factor, followed by cover/ benefits (53%) and ease of purchase (33%); brand and reputation of the insurance provider rated among the lowest in terms of primary consideration for consumers.[1] From a home perspective, when asked to identify their insurance provider, 60% of home insurance policy holders stated the name of their insurance company, with 22% stating the name of a retail intermediary such as their bank. 18% of respondents did not recall the name of their home insurance provider when prompted.
These results are echoed from a motor insurance perspective, although better recognition was observed for some of the leading brands, with 73% of respondents naming their insurance provider, 21% referencing a retail intermediary and the remaining 6% not naming any provider.
Open to new purchasing channels
When asked the level of desirability towards different purchasing options, respondents showed they were open to new purchasing channels through point-of-sale models such as car manufacturers, motor dealers as well as through mortgage lenders. Almost four in ten (39%) of those surveyed would consider buying home insurance through their mortgage lender while almost two thirds agreed it was either – extremely (11%), very (25%) or somewhat (31%) – desirable to be able to purchase motor insurance through their car dealer.
“Insurers must have a clear strategy of who they want to target, leveraging the right data insights to deliver relevant value propositions to their chosen segments as and when they need them,” Regan said. Those that are winning the market are differentiating themselves by maximising the touchpoints they have with customers, creating new and more meaningful opportunities to drive engagement while enabling end to end experiences, underpinned by digital.”
Microsoft Ireland today announced thatmore than6,000 people have taken their first StepIn2Tech by signing up to participate in the digital skills training programme that was launched in collaboration with Fastrack to IT (FIT) just over one year ago.
StepIn2Tech was initially developed by Microsoft Ireland in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in an effort to equip 10,000 learners over a two-year period with the digital skills required to gain in-demand jobs in the digital economy. The initiative also supports those who have either recently left school or college or are mid-career and interested in developing their digital skills.
Through StepIn2Tech, learners can participate in up to five starter courses focused on productivity, coding, infrastructure, cloud, and design, helping to deepen their knowledge and skills levels in these areas. Each StepIn2Tech course is free to access and can be completed online at the learner’s own pace and with the guidance and support of FIT’s team of digi-chaperones.
On completion of one or more of the StepIn2Tech starter courses, graduates are invited to participate in the StepIn2Tech mentoring programme, which Microsoft Ireland employees are delivering, in order to develop the soft skills that are required to maximise new employment opportunities. As part of the programme, Microsoft Ireland employees provide one-to-one advice and guidance on interview techniques and CV writing. Over 400 learners have completed the mentoring programme so far with 84 Microsoft employees volunteering almost 3,000 hours between them to date.
Free training places remain available through StepIn2Tech as the initiative embarks on its second year.
James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Lead and Vice President of Microsoft International Operations, said: “It’s hugely encouraging to see that over 6,000 people have engaged with StepIn2Tech, one of a number of education and training initiatives that Microsoft Ireland has developed to empower learners – irrespective of their age, background or experience – to participate fully in Ireland’s digital economy.
“With the World Economic Forum predicting that 90% of all jobs will require digital skills by 2030, it’s crucial that dedicated pathways are made available for people to acquire the training and skills needed to access the increasingly technology-based job opportunities of today and tomorrow. It’s inspiring to hear about the experiences of StepIn2Tech graduates, such as Ilona, and to see how their lives and career paths have been enhanced through this programme. By empowering people to acquire digital skills, StepIn2Tech is aiding the transition to a digital-first economy, which must be inclusive for all.”
Speaking about her experience of StepIn2Tech, Ilona Tkachenko, said: “Quite soon after the pandemic hit, I was made redundant from my job and found myself at home with my family minding my two kids. As we navigated our way through that strange time, I came across this advertisement for total IT beginners to start a cyber security course. That turned out to be StepIn2Tech. The course worked brilliantly for me as I was able to do it at my own pace and, with the support of the FIT digi-chaperones. I really surprised myself with everything that I learned, and how much I wanted to keep learning and keep discovering. At the end of the course, I graduated with certificates in security fundamentals and CompTIA Security. I also engaged in the Microsoft mentoring sessions, which have been invaluable in helping me to prepare for job opportunities. I’m currently interviewing for a number of security operations analyst positions and am hoping to secure a job very soon. StepIn2Tech has opened up a whole world of opportunities for me and I’d encourage anyone who is out of work or looking to change career to take that first step.”
Peter Davitt, CEO, Fastrack to IT, said: “We’re delighted that more than 6,000 people have signed up to, quite literally, take their first step into technology since the launch of StepIn2Tech one year ago.
“With learners coming from a diverse range of backgrounds and sectors that had been negatively impacted by the pandemic, such as hospitality and retail, StepIn2Tech has proven that it can help people to develop their digital skills and avail of either new career opportunities in the digital economy or take further steps on their learning pathway. We’re very grateful to Microsoft Ireland for collaborating with us on the development of this programme and look forward to supporting many more learners through the StepIn2Tech course and mentoring programme over the coming year.”
For more information on #StepIn2Tech or to register to participate in the programme, visit: https://fit.ie/stepin2tech/.
The final of Ireland’s first national digital skills competition, Ireland’s Future is MINE, is scheduled to be televised on RTÉ2 this Thursday, June 16th at 5pm. Delivered through a collaboration between Microsoft Ireland and RTÉjr, the final between St. Hugh’s National Primary School from Leitrim and Moyvore Primary School from Westmeath will be the first ever eSports final shown on broadcast television by an Irish station.
Launched in September 2021, the ‘Ireland’s Future is MINE‘ digital skills competition challenged primary school students to use Minecraft: Education Edition to think creatively, collaborate, problem-solve and shape Ireland’s sustainable future.
Since its launch, schools across Ireland have entered the competition and students have explored fun challenges such as building their own NASA rover and coding their very own polar ice hut. These challenges, made possible through Minecraft: Education Edition, are aligned to both the Republic and Northern Irish curriculums covering subjects from English, Maths, Science, Geography, SPHE and more.
Having successfully progressed through the various stages of the competition, which saw participation from 130 other primary schools across Ireland, St Hugh’s National Primary School and Moyvore Primary School will compete in the final phase of the digital skills challenge. The winner will receive the grand prize of laptops for the classroom plus a charging trolley for their school.
Public sector bodies and private sector companies have been urged to prioritise digital accessibility, after a new report showed that 72% of leading Irish companies do not have accessible websites. The first Digital Accessibility Index for Ireland, published by IA Labs today, found that not one sector achieved a greater than 50% accessibility pass rate.
The Digital Accessibility Index analyses websites against a range of requirements set out by an EU Directive on digital accessibility which was introduced for public sector bodies in 2020. This includes ensuring that websites are navigable for people who use screen readers, fully usable for people who only use keyboards due to having reduced motor skills and adjustable colour contrast for people with low vision. Research on accessibility was carried out by IA Labs in 2021 and 2022, with comparisons drawn between the two years.
According to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), there are approximately 600,000 people in Ireland with a disability. Inaccessible websites and digital platforms can deny people with disabilities access to online services and products.
In the retail sector, the research found that Ireland’s top five grocery retailers were classified as inaccessible as were all ten of the country’s leading online housing and rental platforms.
Separately, only one out of the country’s 20 private hospitals analysed passed the digital accessibility audit. In terms of education, not one website passed out a sample of 28 websites of Irish universities, private and public sector schools.
IA Labs, a spin-out company from NCBI, Ireland’s national sight loss agency, was established in 2021 offering consultancy and auditing services to public and private sector companies on digital accessibility. Based in Dublin, IA Labs is a market leader in the provision of digital accessibility services.
Currently, EU Regulations on digital accessibility only cover public sector bodies. Private companies are not required by law to be digitally accessible, however, this may be extended in future to cover private companies.
In the public sector, the research found 89% of Government Departments have accessible websites, with the websites of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs currently deemed not accessible.
Looking specifically at Irish political parties, only the websites of Fianna Fáil, Labour and People Before Profit are considered to be digitally accessible for all users.
Commenting at the launch of the Digital Accessibility Index, Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD, said, “I welcome the publication of the first Digital Accessibility Index, developed by IA Labs. This is a really important piece of work and provides a benchmark for evaluating digital accessibility and inclusion for all citizens in this country. The findings clearly highlight where compliance with the EU Directive is falling short and, importantly, demonstrates how both public and private companies need to be proactive in ensuring their websites are usable by everyone.”
Kyran O’Mahoney, Founder of IA Labs said, “The findings of the Digital Accessibility Index highlight the need for companies and public bodies to seriously consider their digital offering. No company sets out to create an inaccessible website, but our research tells us that there needs to be a greater focus on prioritising accessibility. The fact that not one of Ireland’s top five grocery retailers has an accessible website is an example of how barriers to access can be created, negatively impacting people with disabilities.”
Chris White, CEO of NCBI said, “Society is a better place when people of all abilities are able to participate in and access it. We believe digital accessibility is necessary for creating that world and that Ireland as a hub for global IT companies should be at the forefront of digital accessibility. IA Labs was established to help and support companies and public bodies achieve this goal through its unique and comprehensive offering.”
A copy of IA Labs’ Digital Accessibility Index is available to view at: https://ialabs.ie/dai/
Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is today announcing that its digital mapping platform, ArcGIS, is revolutionising litter collection for environmental action group, North Coast World Earth. Using Esri’s software, the group has collected and recorded 3 tonnes of litter on the Northern Irish coast, enabling it to address the wider impact of environmental pollution in the area and campaign successfully for change.
Through Esri’s ArcGIS Survey 123 mobile app, the rapidly growing volunteer group can record information about litter hot spots, volumes of litter that could potentially be recycled, locations where bins are full or unusable, instances of fly tipping and the impact of litter pollution in Protected Areas.
This digital solution from Esri also drives engagement with communities, as local groups have access to personalised online dashboards where they can track their progress, see their contribution, and celebrate their achievements. The dashboards are particularly valuable in schools and support education by giving pupils involved a better understanding of their own contribution to reducing pollution. North Coast World Earth volunteers use the information collected to campaign more effectively with councils, elected councillors and members of the legislative assembly (MLAs), to lobby for action to help prevent littering.
The group’s interactive website, powered by ArcGIS, provides clear and verifiable evidence of pollution for North Coast World Earth, its volunteers, and members of the public. The volume and locations of litter collected are visible in near real-time on the website’s interactive digital map. This hub highlights areas that are not yet patrolled, encouraging more families, businesses, community and school groups to get involved in their localities.
This digital approach to gathering data across an area of 2,000 km2 in the Causeway Coast and Glens areas has decreased the manual administrative burden on the group’s committee and improved data accuracy. Data no longer needs to be collated manually from emails, spreadsheets and social media, which significantly reduces administrative overheads and allows for a more sustainable means of data collection as the action group grows.
Gavin Wallace, Chairperson, North Coast World Earth: “ArcGIS is a tool that we can use to influence the change that we all desperately want to see. We are not simply a litter picking group, we want to combine short-term fixes with long-term solutions. It is important that we identify and quantify the extent of the issue with verified data.
“The beauty of our ArcGIS Maps and Dashboards is that it provides evidence of the types, volumes and locations of the litter collected by our members. There are no limits to the amount of data that members can put into ArcGIS; it’s just phenomenal. In the months and years ahead, the ArcGIS platform will provide key data that will help raise further awareness about the issues that face our environment.”
Jamie Wallace, Customer Success Manager, Esri Ireland:“We are delighted to partner with North Coast World Earth and deploy ArcGIS to enable the group to take action and reduce pollution in the environment. The ArcGIS Survey123 mobile app, Dashboards and interactive online Hub have not only improved the quality and quantity of data collection but also given the group a new way to connect with their communities and raise awareness around the scale of the problem.
“North Coast World Earth is doing invaluable work in the Causeway Coast and Glens area of Northern Ireland. Esri Ireland is proud to support this work and provide a sustainable platform which will enable the group to continue to grow and tackle the important issue of litter pollution.”
Learn more about North Coast World Earth by visiting their website:
Remitly Global, Inc. (“Remitly”), a leading digital financial services provider for immigrants and their families, has announced it will increase operations in Cork, creating approximately 120 jobs over the next six months.
Established in Seattle in 2011, Remitly employs over 1,800 full-time equivalent employees either working out of our headquarters in Seattle, Washington, at one of our seven other office locations around the world, or remotely. The mobile-first provider of remittances and financial services for immigrants has served over five million customers globally across more than 75 currencies.
In June 2020 Remitly established its Fraud and Compliance Centre of Excellence in Cork and in that time has grown to more than 100 employees. In this next phase of growth, Remitly will be hiring roles that include Customer Protection Associates, Customer Success Team Managers, Program Specialists and Compliance Analysts.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment Leo Varadkar said: “Congratulations to the Remitly team on this expansion, which will see the creation of 120 new jobs at the company’s office in Penrose Dock. Great news for Cork and I’m sure the company will have no problem filling the new roles with the wealth of talent in the area. The very best of luck.”
“As Remitly continues to grow, we’re incredibly excited to nearly double the size of our talented team in Cork this year,” said Rene Yoakum, Chief Customer and People Officer at Remitly. “We are working to transform the way immigrants send money globally and doing it in a way that is truly customer centric. We look forward to welcoming 120 new Remitlians to the team who share our passion for serving customers, solving fascinating problems and having fun with talented colleagues.”
Remitly has recently taken nearly 20,000 sq ft at Penrose Dock, a new Grade-A office complex at the heart of Cork’s new docklands.
Fiona Nagle, Director, Global Risk Operations said: “We’ve already hired 110 employees in Cork and are currently recruiting for 120 additional roles, growing the Cork team to 230 team members this year. The opportunity to build the Cork team with local, and customer-focused talent is exciting.”
Dermot Kennedy, Director, Ireland Operations said: “IDA Ireland has supported our team in a business-friendly environment and has a strong record of collaboration found here. Industry alignment is also key and we have been able to partner with University College Cork and Cork Institute of Technology, which is exciting for us as we look to our future in Cork.”
CEO of IDA Ireland, Martin Shanahan said: “Today’s announcement by Remitly is very good news from a company that has experienced rapid growth in recent years. Remitly’s presence in Cork strengthens the South West region’s FinTech cluster. Its plans for its Fraud and Compliance Centre of Excellence is a strong vote of confidence in the highly skilled and talented workforce available in the region. I wish Remitly the very best with this expansion.”
Remitly is currently hiring across a series of functions including, Customer Protection Associates, Compliance Squad Investigators, Compliance Analysts, Program Specialist and Customer Success Team Managers. To explore opportunities at Remitly Cork visit https://www.remitly.com/ie/en/careers
A report launched today by Google confirms a substantial economic opportunity for Ireland exists if a meaningful investment in digital skills is made. The comprehensive study developed in partnership with Amárach provides detailed insights into the digital capability needs, ambitions, and plans of 1,000 SME leaders throughout Ireland. The research proposes that a significant investment into digital skills could contribute an extra €9.5 billion to Ireland’s GDP by 2025.
To help Irish businesses succeed online, it is important to first understand how they’re doing today and what their goals are. That is why Google commissioned Amárach to engage SME leaders on their lived experiences and expectations of their digital journey. Titled Bridging the Gap – A Report on Digital Capabilities in Irish SMEs, the study, one of the largest surveys of Irish SMEs in recent years, identified four key gaps in digital capabilities:
Performance – how far businesses are from realising their full potential
Competence – how businesses are struggling to use digital skills
Investment – the role of funding, time, and talent in expanding competence
Advisory – the absence of qualified advisors and suppliers to meet digital needs
The current situation
Most Irish SMEs are in the process of adopting, developing, and evolving their use of digital technologies. But some are further ahead in the process than others. When asked to rate their own progress, the majority (62%) of Irish SMEs are ‘less than halfway’ on their digital journey. Recruiting people with the necessary digital skillset is also a challenge for Irish SMEs with 41% of respondents agreeing that they do not have a person within the organisation who is tasked with developing digital skills. Only 26% of SMEs say their employees have all the skills needed in terms of basic digital capabilities.
Faced with multiple demands on their time and energy, the report indicates that business leaders believe that the digital skills gap can be closed, but the challenge is prioritising it over other short and medium-term tasks.
Digital tools
The report finds that only 11% of Ireland’s SMEs feel their employees have the skills needed to successfully adopt and use new technology, a statistic borne out in the data where only 53% of SMEs have (or use) social media and video platforms and just 18% make use of customer insights tools. When measuring the number of SMEs that have their own business website, Ireland at 55% ranks comparably lower than the EU average of 77%[1].
The research shows that Irish SMEs are ambitious when it comes to investing in digital capabilities but 50% say they lack basic knowledge about which skills to prioritise. The report indicates that policy makers, advisors, and suppliers to the SME sector need to help address the priority gaps that will deliver quick wins, spurring decision makers to go further.
Commenting, Alice Mansergh, Director for Small Business at Google said:
“The timing of this report could not be more important, the decisions that business leaders and policy stakeholders make about digital capabilities in the coming months and years will have profound implications for the long-term productivity and profitability of the SME sector, and for sustainable economic growth over the rest of the decade. For its part, Google will use these findings to help shape the courses we provide via the Grow with Google initiative helping to train people in key digital skills that will empower them to embrace new business and commercial opportunities.”
The opportunity
Irish SMEs are very confident (56%) that meeting their digital skills objectives could make a big difference to business performance, and not just on one or two metrics. SME leaders believe that improving digital capabilities would allow them to increase wages and salaries (28%) and over half of those surveyed (57%) say that meeting their objectives [in digital capabilities] would help them to grow faster and become more profitable.
Bridging the gap infographic
Fiscally, the study proposes that an increased investment in digital skills could grow Ireland’s GDP significantly, calculating an increase of €9.5 billion (to €544.2 billion) by 2025.
Spotlight on Gender
The report identifies several gender differences highlighted in the areas of digital content and social media. Female decision makers in SMEs are more likely to use social media platforms (55% vs 51% of men). Women are more likely than men to see the creation of digital content as a top priority for digital skills development (35% vs 28% of men), as well as using digital tools and channels for marketing (21% vs 17%).
Even though more female leaders than male are likely to adopt and leverage digital tools, female leaders and decision makers in Irish SMEs are less likely to say their organisation is over halfway in its digital journey (58%) than men (65%).
In order for Ireland to achieve its digital ambitions, it is vitally important that female entrepreneurs and SME business leaders are enabled to play their part.
Regional breakdown
Comparing SMEs across the regions we find several differences. 45% of firms in Dublin are likely to think they are more than halfway along their ‘digital journey’ significantly higher than regional firms based in the midlands (32%). When it comes to the adoption of digital tools, Dublin again maintains a distinct advantage with 62% of firms using a business website compared to only 47% in the border region. Firms in Dublin demonstrate a stronger appetite to upskill with nearly 70% of business leaders in the capital likely to undertake a course in the next 12 months vs 59% of Border firms.
These and other differences in the research point to the need for a strong regional focus in Ireland’s digital skills agenda to ensure an equitable and impactful benefit for all our communities.
A post-Covid world for SMEs
The Covid-19 crisis has amplified the power of digital in building business resilience. During the first few weeks of lockdown, Google saw a 300%[2] increase in the number of people taking digital training courses. Research has shown that 80% of European SMEs increased their use of digital tools during the pandemic and those SMEs that embraced digital tools had 60% better revenue results and hired 3 times more employees[3] during the pandemic. The report launched today finds that 64% of SMEs in Ireland say their experience of the Covid-19 pandemic has incentivised them to invest more in digital skills with 76% saying digital tools are more helpful to their business now than before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The report has shown how Irish SMEs are ready to invest in the digital capabilities that will propel their success in the post-Covid era.
Gerard O’Neill, Chair of Amárach Research added,
“This research is unique in that it provides information and insight directly from SME leaders themselves. The study is comprehensive, representing a cross-section of Irish SMEs and is nationally representative of regions, genders, industries and business models. While we see some subtle differences in the findings, two things are constant to almost all SMEs; first that they believe investing in digital capabilities will enhance their business and second that they are ready to do that now – but they need the right supports. This research allows decision makers, policy makers and industry personnel to have meaningful and informed dialogue that can affect real and positive change to Ireland’s digital landscape.”
Enterprise Ireland CEO Leo Clancy said,
“Small and medium enterprises remain the backbone of the Irish economy; accounting for 99% of active enterprises and 70% of employment. Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices are committed to supporting these businesses with their digitalisation journeys, investing in the capabilities that will help lead them to international success.
For successful businesses, digitalisation isn’t an option, it is a crucial advantage that allows them to compete and win. The report launched today provides invaluable insight and guidance that will inform debate and enhance decision making as we further invest in digital capabilities across Ireland.”
