NCPC's South-East Regional Seminar

The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) in conjunction with South-East Chambers and South East Technological University organised a regional seminar on the 2^nd of April 2025. The theme of the Seminar was Regional Competitiveness, Innovation and the South-East, and its purpose was to contextualise competitiveness issues at a regional level. The attendance included representatives of local businesses and enterprises, Local Government officials, government agencies, public representatives, and education and research providers from across the region.

This event was also attended by the representative of Mayor of the City and County of Waterford, Councillor Joe Kelly. 

The seminar commenced with remarks by Mr. Gerard Arthurs (Lecturer in International Relations and Politics) acknowledging the significant external uncertainties facing the Irish economy over the past decade and stressed the importance of focusing policy efforts on factors within the domestic sphere of influence to enhance national resilience and competitiveness. The seminar also featured presentations by the Chair of the NCPC, Dr. Frances Ruane and the Head of the NCPC Secretariat, Dr. Dermot Coates. Dr. Ruane’s presentation outlined the work of the NCPC and Ireland’s competitiveness position, while Dr. Coates’ presentation benchmarked the performance of the South-East region internationally, based on indices of regional competitiveness and regional innovation. 

The presentations were followed by a roundtable discussion involving a number of local business and enterprise owners, and executives, who were invited to identify the key issues in the region impacting them from a competitiveness perspective. Overall, the seminar was very well attended – with close to 60 participants.

There was exceptional commonality in the local competitiveness issues identified by the stakeholders in the region, both on the panel and among the attendees in the audience. The key issues discussed related to housing, public infrastructure deficits, the challenges facing commuters, and the need to address the skills deficits posed by AI. While many of the issues raised in Waterford reflect broader national challenges, the emphasis placed in discussion on AI adoption and readiness was notable.

There was also a strong consensus across all those in attendance that a key strength for the South-East was its continuing capacity to think and act as a ‘region’. This provides valuable context for the Council’s ongoing analysis of Ireland's competitiveness and productivity landscape.

Photo Credit: George Goulding, SETU