Ireland has long time taken advantage of its privileged location in the European landscape. Over the past decade its economy has developed a strong fiscal attractiveness allowing the creation of ICT subsidies and an important amount of investment to enter the territory. This market strategy has enabled the country to catch up with its Western European counterpart; nevertheless, the adherence of Eastern countries to the European Union and the expected positive trend of the Irish living standard have led the country to the same global crisis that now affects its neighbours. Ireland was also one of the very first European countries to experience recession, almost thirty years after the high unemployment and emigration period at the beginning of the eighties.

With the same channel set up as the UK and one of the world’s lowest corporate tax rates (12.5%), combined with a highly skilled and educated workforce, Ireland continues to remain attractive to the ICT business.

The sector accounts for 16% of total added value in the industry and services sectors. Over 85% of the total turnover from the IT sector comes from exports, which makes Ireland strongly dependent on other economies’ health. More than half of the total R&D expenditures concern the technology sector. Innovation represents one of the sectors' top priorities. Ireland's ICT market has reached maturity and continues to remain highly competitive at both national and international level.
The main beneficiaries of this ICT background are U.S. and UK SMB companies, due to both the specificities of their demand and to the common language and cultural background. The IT activity remains concentrated around the highly congested capital region.

The market continues to be driven by mobile computing, security and storage solutions, as well as ERP and CRM software solutions. In the services sector, the top priorities continue to be managed services, systems integration and network development, contrary to enterprise systems and consulting services. The Irish IT sector remains service-oriented not necessarily disposing of a strong added value, which makes the economy rather fragile in a crisis period.

compuBase definition by main activity compuBase coverage (2010) Manufacturer Software publisher Publisher of software for a specific activity Publisher of software for a specific business processI Software solutions integrator (developed by third parties) IT services, software development (hosting, training, etc.) Telecom services (Telecom operator, ISP, etc.) Telecom & network infrastructure integrator IT infrastructure integrator Consulting Reselling to consumers Reselling to businesses (hardware, software, services, etc.) Wholesaler (resale of IT products to resellers) Large assembling company Other ICT related activities 74 73 66 28 23 420 34 24 5 26 21 109 53 - 9 - Statistics on Ireland - compuBase online counting tool - Quotation on the Irish database

Distribution players:
MICROWARHOUSE; SPICER Irelande LTD; TNS DISTRIBUTION LTD; BELTRONICS COMPUTER Ltd; ASBIS Ireland
IT Channel Press & Players:
Computerscope (Ireland Scope Communications Group)
Public organisations & Useful Associations:
Irish Internet Association

General Data
• Area: 70,280 km2
• Population: 4.203 million
• HDI (2005): 0.960

Macroeconomic Data
• GDP/capita (est. 2009): 31,878€
• GDP/capita vs. US (2008): 98%
• GDP growth rate (est. 2009): +1.12

OECD: Ireland information
OECD: ICT Statistics
CIA: Ireland information

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