Partners

Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) has a student population of 6,000 full-time students and 6,000 part-time students. It produces graduates at Certificate, Diploma, Degree and postgraduate level in the areas of Business & Humanities, Engineering, Science & Computing, Art and Music. Research and Development is an integral part of CIT's activities. The following specialist centres have been developed in areas associated with the particular academic strengths of the college:

CAPPA (Centre for Advanced Photonics and Process Analysis)
Medic ((Medical Engineering Design and Innovation Centre)
The Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Management Systems
The Centre for Surface and Interface Analysis
The Clean Technology Centre
The Biological and Environmental Services Unit
The Molecular Diagnosis Unit
Technologies for Embedded Computing (TEC) Centre

Enterprise Ireland is thestate organisation established by the Irish government to foster the creation of wealth and employment in Irish owned companies. Established in 1998, it is charged with assisting in the start-up, growth and internationalisation of Irish business.It has a wide remit in the area of science and innovation and is responsible for ensuring that innovation and technology are the forefront of industrial development in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland has a network of regional offices and a comprehensive support system to support companies through various stages of development.

University College Cork (UCC) has a student population of over 10,000 and produces graduates in a range of disciplines including Food Science and Technology, Civil and Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Business & Humanities. It also offers evening and part-time courses to a further 3,000 students. The National Microelectronics Research Centre (NMRC) at UCC has specialised plant and expertise in the field of semi-conductor design and fabrication technology and is an invaluable resource for the area. Other technology centres in UCC include the National Food Biotechnology Centre, Power Electronics Research Lab., Teltec Ireland, Coastal Zone Institute and the Acquacultural Development Centre.

North Cork, Cork City, South Cork and West Cork Enterprise Boards are partners in the Genesis programme. The CEBs were set up to meet a need, which was identified for support targeted specifically at the micro-enterprise sector. A key feature of the new CEB network was that it would include representatives of a range of local interests and have a wholly localised county-based focus to its mission. The 35 CEBs were established in 1993 and subsequently given statutory status under the Industrial Development Act of 1995. A specific objective was to cultivate and expand an ethos of local entrepreneurship.

Department of Education & Science

The Department of Education & Science is responsible for the administration of public education, primary, post primary and special education. State subsidies for third-level colleges are channelled through the Department. There are now about one million students in full-time education in Ireland. The Department is responsible for a total expenditure of almost Â£2.5 billion. The object of the Department is to ensure the provision of a comprehensive, cost-effective and accessible education system of the highest quality which will enable individuals to develop to their full potential and contribute to social and economic development.

CorkBIC is a specialist, multidisciplinary venture consulting organisation, providing an integrated process for incubating and growing high potential innovative businesses. CorkBIC responds to the demands of entrepreneurs and the marketplace by bringing an holistic approach, with a private sector bias to pre-start-up and start-up businesses. They accompany the entrepreneur through all stages by intensive handholding. As a result the survival and the growth rates of these businesses is dramatically improved giving survival rates of over 80% after 5 years. International market and technology access is provided through the European BIC network located in 150 centres throughout Europe.

Údarás na Gaeltachta combines an economic development role that of creating sustainable jobs and attracting investment to the Gaeltacht regions with community, cultural and language-development activities, working in partnership with local communities and organisations. With its headquarters at Na Forbacha, County Galway, Údarás na Gaeltachta has regional offices in Donegal, Mayo, Kerry and Cork. The Authority's work builds on the policies of successive governments in maintaining and developing the Gaeltacht as a vibrant community where there is a sufficient level of economic activity to sustain the community and where the language is established at the heart of that economic activity. The Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta comprises 20 members, seventeen of whom are directly elected by the electorate of the Gaeltacht, the other three, including the Chairman, being appointed by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs.