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The Irish Medtech Skillnet newsletter - September 2025
Irish Medtech Skillnet is Ireland’s premier source of innovative, funded, industry-led training for the medtech and manufacturing sectors.
In this issue
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Finishing Strong: Course Highlights for the rest of 2025
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Industry News in Ireland
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Irish Medtech Pushes for Policy Change and an R&D Boost in Budget 2026
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Momentum in Medtech: Investment, Jobs & Innovation
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Into the Deep: Building on Medtech Success to Launch Deeptech Growth
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Irish Medtech Skillnet in the Spotlight
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On the Road: Upcoming Events and Site Visits to our Industry Partners
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Industry Insights - In Conversation with Aoife O’Sullivan, Head of Network Development & Innovation, Skillnet Ireland
Finishing Strong: Course Highlights for the rest of the year
October - Funded Training
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Strategic Innovation for Senior Executives, starting 21st October - Learn More
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Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) & IoT (Module), starting 31st October - Learn More
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Digital Twins in Production Operations, starting 31st October - Learn More
November - Funded Training
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Database Design & Data Visualisation (Module), starting 1st November - Learn More
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Proactive Risk Management in Medtech: Staying Ahead of Regulatory Challenges, starting 21st October - Learn More
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Catheter Design & Development Workshop, starting 27th November - Learn More
January 2026 - Thinking Ahead with Funded Training for the New Year
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Post Grad Cert in End-to-End Sterility Assurance (L9) – Starts 26th January. Learn More
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Master of Science in End-to-End Sterility Assurance – Starts 27th January. Learn More
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Living Leadership – Starts 10th February. Learn More
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Data Analytics & Machine Learning – Starts 11th February. Learn More
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BioInnovate 101: Essentials of Health Technology Innovation - Starts 10th March. Learn More
Enrolment is now open for all of these programmes on our website! Remember, our training programmes are subsidised by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, saving companies a significant amount on standard course fees, with minimal barriers to access. Whether you are a start-up, scaling up, or a multinational, all Irish companies can access our funded training programmes with no paid membership required.
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Irish Medtech Skillnet develops and delivers transformative, industry-led training solutions to help companies of all sizes in the medical technology and manufacturing sectors to grow and retain best-in-class talent, supporting the future success and competitiveness of medtech in Ireland.
View our 2025 Programme Catalogue here.
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Industry News in Ireland: The Global Medtech Hub
Irish Medtech Pushes for Policy Change and an R&D Boost in Budget 2026
Ireland’s €20 billion medtech sector is joining forces with biopharma in a call for stronger state backing ahead of Budget 2026. Irish Medtech, the Ibec group representing more than 450 companies, has urged the government to expand the 25% R&D tax credit and establish a dedicated Office of Life Sciences within the Department of Enterprise.
The sector, which employs 50,000 people across 450 companies, including nine of the world’s top ten medtechs, argues that Ireland risks losing competitiveness to countries like France, the Netherlands and the UK, all of which offer more generous R&D incentives. Irish Medtech is recommending a 35% R&D tax credit for high-value innovation, positioning Ireland alongside international rivals.
Without investment and policy change, Ireland risks falling behind in one of its most successful global sectors. The industry is facing major headwinds due to the 15% U.S. tariff on EU medical devices set to add €1.2 billion in costs, and ongoing talent shortages. Regulatory challenges and Sustainability mandates are also raising the bar for companies already under pressure. Eoghan Ó Faoláin, director of Irish Medtech, said the recommendation was informed by the group’s board and senior experts. “A 35 per cent R&D tax credit will not only enable the continued development of life-improving medtech, but also deliver long-term investment across Ireland,” he said. Read more from this article in the Business Post here.
Momentum in Medtech: Investment, Jobs & Innovation
Despite international uncertainty, Ireland’s medtech sector has benefitted from a major investment wave in 2025, reinforcing its position as a global hub for innovation, talent, and R&D. Here are some of the highlights:
Major Investments & Expansion
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G&F Precision Moulding: Launches Irish Operations, with IDA support, creating 30+ jobs and partnering with Irish Polymer Group and the APT Centre.
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Stryker: Over €200 million committed to new R&D projects in Cork.
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Aerogen: 10-year expansion creating 725 jobs across Galway and Shannon.
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Hollister: €80 million investment in Ballina, creating 50 new jobs.
Start-Up Growth
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Fire1: Raised $120 million to advance heart failure technology.
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Deciphex: Secured €31 million Series C for AI-driven pathology.
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CergenX: UCD spin-out, raised €2+ million for its AI-powered Newborn Brain Screener
The momentum is backed by Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Irish Government, ensuring that investment in medtech continues to generate jobs, research breakthroughs, and global impact. These milestone investments are not only a win for the companies involved, but for Ireland’s innovation ecosystem and the thousands of people whose skills and talent drive it forward. Irish Medtech Skillnet is poised to support you in your next phase of growth!
Our mission at Irish Medtech Skillnet remains clear and steadfast: to deliver high-impact, industry-led workforce development programmes and industry insights to help Medtech companies thrive in an evolving and increasingly challenging landscape.
Into the Deep: Building on Medtech Success to Launch Deeptech Growth
Economist Tom O’Connor writes in the Irish Examiner, that the next wave of opportunity for Ireland remains in high-value, research-driven industries and that the “Deeptech” sector built on advanced science and engineering, can become the cornerstone of Ireland’s export future.
Deeptech refers to companies built on cutting-edge science and engineering who turn advanced research into real-world solutions. Unlike consumer apps or short-term trends, Deeptech firms tackle big challenges such as healthcare, climate, and advanced manufacturing. They usually take longer to develop but can deliver transformative breakthroughs. From advanced materials to AI-driven diagnostics, Deeptech companies can benefit directly from Ireland’s world-class research ecosystem and the industrial know-how developed around healthcare technologies.
Diversification has always worked best when it builds on existing strengths. For Ireland, that means looking beyond the established leadership in medtech and pharma to the areas of opportunity that sit just one step removed. Because Ireland already leads in regulated, STEM industries, Deeptech isn’t a leap into the unknown. In Ireland’s case, Deeptech is a natural extension of our strengths in medtech and pharma, because it draws on the same mix of world-class research, engineering talent, and strong industry–academic partnerships.
Government strategies such as Enterprise 2030 and Enterprise Ireland’s Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally 2025–2029 highlight the need for Irish firms to diversify into new global markets and high-value sectors to reduce exposure to tariff shocks and strengthen long-term resilience. By building capacity in Deeptech and other high-value sectors, Ireland can strengthen its position as both a hub of innovation and a resilient exporter. As O’Connor puts it, “Deeptech can be the bridge between Irish research excellence and long-term industrial strength.”
Irish Medtech Skillnet in the Spotlight
Promoting our transformative training solutions “on the road” is all in a day’s work for our team! These events keep us close to our industry audience and drive awareness of our industry-led, funded programmes which attendees can avail of.
If you’re planning an event or career day to support continuing professional development for your employees, we would love to have a stand there! We can also participate in industry events as speakers or panel participants. Here’s how the remainder of 2025 is shaping up. Please get in touch if we can add your event to the list.
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Launch of the Irish Medtech Skillnet’s 2026-2028 strategy on 11th November 2025 at Thomond Park, Limerick
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We’re delighted to celebrate the achievements of participants on our subsidised training programmes, as they graduate from programmes including:
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Master of Science in Digitalisation of Manufacturing
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Bachelor of Engineering in Advanced Manufacturing
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Postgraduate Certificate in End-to-End Sterility Assurance (L9)
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Masters in Medical Technology Regulatory Affairs
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Medtech Rising 2025 – We’re proud to sponsor this Irish Medtech event on Thursday, 4th December 2025, at the Galmont Hotel, Galway
Industry Insights: An interview with Aoife O’Sullivan, Head of Network Development & Innovation, Skillnet Ireland
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Aoife O’Sullivan is Head of Network Development & Innovation at Skillnet Ireland, where she oversees the strategic growth of 70 Business Networks across diverse industries and regions. In this role, she shapes how the agency partners with industry, designs future-facing skills programmes, and communicates impact on a national scale.
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 Aoife O’Sullivan
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With over 16 years of management experience in both the public and private sectors, Aoife brings deep expertise in relationship management, strategic communications, and innovation-led workforce development. A regular contributor to the national skills agenda, her work is underpinned by a commitment to ensuring Irish businesses are prepared not only for today’s challenges but also for tomorrow’s opportunities. Aoife has supported Skillnet Networks in their development of innovative initiatives in neurodiversity to advances in digital health, artificial intelligence, and pharmaceutical innovation.
Aoife holds a BSc and a Master’s Degree in Communications & Cultural Studies.
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Aoife, can you tell us about your current role within Skillnet Ireland and the journey that brought you here?
As Head of Network Development and Innovation at Skillnet Ireland, I lead a team that supports 70 Skillnet Business Networks nationwide. Two-thirds of these networks are sector-specific, like the Irish Medtech Skillnet, while the rest serve businesses of all sizes within their regions. Together, my team and I deliver both operational and strategic guidance, working within Skillnet Ireland’s unique decentralised model. Rather than funding upskilling programmes directly, we fund our networks, who in turn provide the critical skills businesses need to grow and compete.
My career path has been varied and rewarding. I began in the early 2000s with the ECDL Foundation, where I first experienced the impact of skills development before moving to Enterprise Ireland to support start-ups. That role gave me a solid grounding in understanding the evolving needs of businesses across different sectors. After completing my Master’s in Communications, I went on to work in the private sector across industries ranging from technology to professional services. Having started out in a skills-focused role, I’ve always recognised how powerful learning and development can be in boosting productivity and enabling companies to compete on a global stage. That’s what drew me to Skillnet Ireland, where I’m proud to help shape initiatives that make a real difference to Irish businesses.
My career path has been varied and rewarding. I began in the early 2000s with the ECDL Foundation, where I first experienced the impact of skills development before moving to Enterprise Ireland to support start-ups. That role gave me a solid grounding in understanding the evolving needs of businesses across different sectors. After completing my Master’s in Communications, I went on to work in the private sector across industries ranging from technology to professional services. Having started out in a skills-focused role, I’ve always recognised how powerful learning and development can be in boosting productivity and enabling companies to compete on a global stage. That’s what drew me to Skillnet Ireland, where I’m proud to help shape initiatives that make a real difference to Irish businesses.
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Your leadership continues to drive many of Skillnet Ireland’s most impactful and future-oriented initiatives. From your vantage point, how vital is funding for skills development to the competitiveness of Ireland’s key industries?
Funding is a vital enabler for our Skillnet Networks, allowing them to design and deliver innovative, industry-led programmes that address the skills needs of their sectors and regions. As an agency, Skillnet Ireland is funded through the National Training Fund, under the Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation and Science. However, with industry demand for upskilling continuing to rise, as highlighted in our Ireland’s Talent Landscape 2025 report, it’s clear that additional funding sources are essential. It is also worth noting the very significant financial investment made by businesses that participate in Skillnet-supported programmes, in 2024 enterprise contributions totaled €28m.
To meet the growing industry demand, we have looked at ways in which we can diversify our funding. In 2024, Skillnet Ireland introduced the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to businesses and workers participating in Skillnet Business Networks and Initiatives. Through ESF+, Skillnet Ireland can further expand its reach. We can do this by helping businesses develop the skills they need to navigate critical areas such as digitalisation and the green transition, which is especially important in today’s fast-changing environment.
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Your work often intersects with Ireland’s most dynamic and tech-enabled sectors — medtech, biopharmachem, digital health, tech. How are the talent needs of these industries evolving, and what role is Skillnet Ireland playing in addressing them?
As Irish companies navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing global business environment, having a highly skilled workforce is crucial for leveraging the economic opportunities presented by innovation, digitalisation and the green transition. As a knowledge-based economy, people are key to the future success of Ireland’s economy, our economic competitiveness and our capacity to secure international investment. Supporting a strong, digitally resilient, and sustainable talent pipeline is a key priority for Skillnet Ireland.
Through our dedicated Skillnet Networks, Skillnet Ireland is supporting businesses across this Irish economy’s most innovative and pioneering sectors to meet their upskilling needs. Take the BioPharmaChem and the Irish Medtech Skillnets, for example, they’re working closely with companies across the biopharma, pharmaceutical, chemical, and medical device industries to identify and address emerging skills gaps. It’s all about providing enterprise-led training and helping businesses tap into the potential of new and emerging technologies through upskilling.
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Innovation is clearly at the heart of your portfolio. Whether it’s Ireland’s first MSc in AI or the world’s first CPD programme in neurodiversity in the workplace, Skillnet Ireland is breaking new ground. Can you share how such programmes come to life — and why flagship programmes matter so much to industry?
Innovation is a central component of what we do at Skillnet Ireland, particularly through our Future Dynamics Co-Creation funding strand, which we describe as the innovation arm of our organisation. This is where our Skillnet Networks work closely with industry and education partners to design new, forward-looking programmes that respond to emerging skills needs.
Our Industry Insights research is a key part of that process. It gives our Networks the evidence and data they need to identify skills gaps in specific sectors or regions. That research is vital; it ensures that any new programme that is developed is grounded in real industry demand. A great example of that in action is the Talent to Thrive future skills needs report for Ireland’s medtech sector, which outlines a skills roadmap for the future of the sector right through to 2028.
Essential research like this helps to shape innovative, tailored programmes such as the Irish Medtech Skillnet’s End-to-End Sterility Assurance Programme, which emerged directly from an identified skills gap in the medtech sector. Now it’s helping professionals gain the expertise needed to keep Ireland at the forefront of global medical technology.
Flagship programmes like these are so important because they don’t just solve immediate challenges, they inspire innovation right across industry. It demonstrates what’s possible when research, collaboration, and creativity comes together with a shared goal.
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Digital transformation is a recurring theme in your work. In your view, how should businesses think about tech skills in 2025 and beyond? Are we at a tipping point where digital literacy becomes as fundamental as traditional literacy?
Digitalisation is a key priority of the Skillnet Ireland statement of strategy with a double focus on boosting digital literacy among SME employees and unlocking the potential of emerging technologies and driving innovation through advanced digital skills like AI.
Research compiled by Skillnet Ireland for our 2025 Ireland’s Talent Landscape Report highlighted how quickly digitalisation is changing the nature of work in Ireland with 79% of companies responding that their staff would require some form of digital upskilling in the coming years in order to perform their role. While this might appear challenging, business leaders are alert to the opportunities in this transition with 60% of SMEs reporting that emerging technologies will increase productivity of their business in the coming years.
This report also revealed that access to the required skills is the biggest barrier to businesses seeking to integrate artificial intelligence into their business. Supporting businesses, and particularly SMEs, to unlock the potential of AI will become increasingly important to maintaining Ireland’s capacity to compete globally. Maintaining a highly skilled pipeline of employees with AI and other advanced digital skills, is critical to achieving this goal and securing Ireland’s reputation as a high-performing economy.
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Skillnet Ireland has played a significant role not only in industry training, but also in shaping national skills policy. How do you see the agency’s role evolving as Ireland positions itself globally as a knowledge economy?
In 2024, Skillnet Ireland celebrated the 25th anniversary of its foundation, and in this time our organisation has developed a unique and highly effective model of integrating the voice of employers and educators into the design of our upskilling offerings. Recently, Skillnet Ireland was recognised as international best practice by the European Commission as part of the EU’s Pact for Skills Initiative in recognition of Skillnet Ireland’s impact on the dual digital and green transitions and impact on learners, businesses and the wider economy.
Skillnet Ireland has access to unique insights to support the development of an effective skills policy for Ireland that meets the emerging needs of industry and the economy and secures the future of Ireland’s knowledge economy.
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You’ve become a prominent and respected voice in the national conversation on skills, strategy, and innovation. What leadership principles or values guide you in your work?
First and foremost, for me, leadership is about authenticity and being able to bring people on a journey with you (or at least a number of small voyages!). We all know that one person in our career who made a difference and invariably demonstrated excellent leadership traits which inspired us to follow. The principles that guide me in my own leadership fundamentally relate to collaboration, curiosity and clarity of purpose. Collaboration is at the heart of how I work and what we do as an organisation. We work hand-in-hand with industry, government, and education partners, so creating trust and shared ownership is crucial. Curiosity also drives me to look ahead and to keep asking how we can innovate and do better. And finally, I believe in clarity of purpose, being transparent about our mission to equip businesses with the skills they need to thrive and in helping my team succeed. Those values keep me focused on impact, not just activity, and on building a skills ecosystem that delivers lasting change.
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What legacy do you hope to leave in Ireland’s skills landscape?
I’d like my legacy to be that Irish businesses feel better equipped to face the future because of the work we’ve done at Skillnet Ireland. For me, it’s about ensuring that skills development is never seen as a nice-to-have, but as a core driver of competitiveness, innovation, and resilience. If I can help create a culture where continuous upskilling is embedded in how businesses operate, whether they’re start-ups, SMEs, or multinationals, then I’ll feel I’ve made a real difference.
Thank you to Aoife for her time and valuable insights!
Thank you for joining us in this edition of Talent to Thrive, the monthly newsletter updates from Irish Medtech Skillnet for Ireland’s Medtech Sector! We look forward to continuing our journey of learning and innovation together in future and we plan to bring you these updates regularly.
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Best regards,
Irish Medtech Skillnet Team