Ireland's Competitiveness Challenge 2024

The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) is pleased to publish Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2024 report.

The Competitiveness Challenge 2024 report sets out a range of key challenges facing Ireland’s economy, particularly over the medium to long-term. The Council places a clear emphasis on addressing those challenges that come within domestic control, in a sequenced and strategic way, including but not limited to, addressing the costs of doing business, managing current population pressures and planning for future population growth, and giving urgent attention to ensuring that the infrastructure which underpins our public utilities is sufficient to supply both firms and households with critical energy, water, and waste-water services.

This year, the Council has brought forward the publication of the Challenge report, with a view to increasing the focus on medium- and long-term issues in policy discussions in advance of Budget 2025. At a time of persistent global economic and political uncertainty, it is fundamental that we seriously address those matters that are within our own sphere of influence and control.

The Competitiveness Challenge 2024 report makes 20 targeted and actionable recommendations to Government across five broad medium and long-term strategic challenges, that are aimed at enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness and productivity performance. These strategic challenges are:

• Utilising the potential of the European Single Market to enhance growth and scaling opportunities for Irish firms;
• Addressing issues relating to the cost of doing business, which remains a long-standing challenge to Ireland’s competitiveness;
• Taking action towards building and retaining a skilled and talented labour force;
• Embracing the opportunities afforded by technological change and innovation; and
• Tackling obstacles to the planning and delivery of sustainable infrastructure.

The full report and the Council's press release can be accessed below. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke TD, has also welcomed the publication and his press release can be accessed via Department's website.