Press release issued by the Government Press Office, 21 July 2009:

Minister Conor Lenihan announces Government response to the Ideas Campaign

‘Ideas reflect the commitment and energy of Irish people which will carry us through this global downturn’ - Lenihan

The Government today (Tuesday 21st July) announced its response to the Ideas Campaign, the independent citizens initiative for economic recovery and renewal.

A total of 17 of the 44 ideas included in the campaign’s Action Plan, in areas such as active citizenship, the knowledge economy, tourism and government finances, are to be implemented on the recommendation of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal.

The Government is continuing to examine the feasibility of other ideas included in the campaign’s Action Plan and has committed to six-monthly reviews of implementation of the Ideas Campaign. See appendix for details of the 17 ideas to be supported by Government.

Announcing the Government decision, Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation, Conor Lenihan TD said:”The Government was impressed by the quality of the suggestions made by citizens through the Ideas Campaign.”

“The Government is keen to action as many of these ideas as quickly as possible and has identified 17 which it can support at this stage. Many of the other ideas warrant further analysis and attention and I propose to bring forward further proposals in relation to those over the coming months.”

Aileen O’Toole, founder of the Ideas Campaign, welcomed the Government response: “It is encouraging that the Government has responded so positively and so comprehensively to the ideas submitted by Irish citizens. The implementation of these ideas will have a positive impact on Ireland, both economically and socially.

“It is also encouraging to see that other parties are taking action on foot of the Ideas Campaign.

“The Action Plan was not intended solely for Government to implement but also for business and voluntary organisations, as well as individuals. The Ideas Campaign is also aware that organisations, companies and other parties have been considering implementing ideas included in the plan.”

Minister Conor Lenihan added: “The campaign places strong emphasis on community involvement and initiative and this is an aspect which the Government very much welcomes.

“The submission of almost 5,300 ideas for consideration by the Ideas Campaign is an extraordinary response and reflects the commitment and energy of Irish people which will carry us through this global downturn.”

Since the Ideas Campaign Action Plan was published, the Government has been analysing the details of the submission through the Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal.

The Government was keen to ensure that each suggestion made was considered fully, by both individual Departments and collectively to ensure synergies and the exploitation of opportunities where possible.

Minister Conor Lenihan said that “the actions which the Government is pursuing through the ‘Smart Economy’ Framework have led to changes and initiatives in dozens of different areas that needed updating and reform.

“The Ideas Campaign was a parallel citizens’ exercise which strengthened the resolve of what we have to do. It also showed that Government and citizens were joining together to exert influence for smart change and adaptation in our economy.”

Appendix

List of 17 ideas to be implemented by Government (extract from the Ideas Campaign Action Plan)

Idea 1: Create a new Volunteer Corps to engage the unemployed in community and voluntary work in Ireland and internationally, without losing their unemployment benefits

Idea 2: Build capacity and awareness in community and voluntary groups to enable them to ‘employ’ volunteers effectively.

Idea 8: Ensure that there is not an automatic ‘use it or lose it’ approach to public funding. Allow those in receipt to rollover unspent funds to the following year’s budget to facilitate medium-term planning and savings

Idea 9: Review integrated initiatives to derive maximum value from the public sector property portfolio through utilising vacant space, purchasing rather than renting etc

Idea 12: Make changes to job seekers’ allowance to incentivise placement of graduates

Idea 16: Provide a one-stop-shop virtual helpdesk for start-ups with advice on legal, HR, patents, accountancy issues etc.

Idea 20: Develop a coherent ‘Ireland’ brand for education in order to draw more international students to our third-level institutions

Idea 21: Provide for earlier entitlement for unemployed to access education schemes

Idea 24: Teach business skills as part of all PhD education as a means of promoting the knowledge economy

Idea 26: Increase further education and training opportunities for the unemployed including through eLearning and blended learning

Idea 27: Make exercise space and outdoor equipment for old and young people available to facilitate healthy living and social interaction in communities all around the country
Appendix

Idea 31: Increase measures to promote a ‘Green Island’ integrated brand for Ireland. Position Ireland as a green food island producing premium, natural foods

Idea 35: Encourage schools to organise transition year trips within Ireland to assist tourism

Idea 36: Explore the potential impact of providing greater flexibility for small scale public sector procurement to reduce costs and increase access to public contracts by SMEs

Idea 37: Encourage voluntary early retirement in the public sector

Idea 38: Facilitate career breaks and shorter working week in public sector

Idea 43: Take measures to facilitate the use of lower-cost generic drugs, for example by pre-printing ‘or generic equivalent’ on all prescriptions, or through other initiatives