For two decades, organisations have invested heavily in ERP and procurement platforms to digitise source-to-pay.

Yet many procurement leaders still find themselves managing critical processes in Excel, chasing approvals over email, and relying on experience rather than real-time intelligence to negotiate with suppliers.

The uncomfortable truth? Most enterprise systems were built for control and record-keeping, not optimisation.

Unfortunately, we now live in a world increasingly defined by margin pressure, supply chain volatility, and investor scrutiny. So archaic, clunky, limited technology is no longer good enough, especially in Europe with strong economic headwinds, that will last for several years and rapid growth of AI disruption.

CFOs Want Efficiency. Procurement Is Under-Resourced.

Today's forward thinking CFO's are laser focused on cost discipline, working capital, OpEx/CapEx optimisation, and resilience. Global advisory firms consistently reinforce this and amplify the need for urgent digital transformation and efficient implementation of AI technology across all functions, especially procurement.

McKinsey & Company highlights that digital procurement leaders can unlock 5–10% cost savings while improving speed and compliance.

PwC points to AI-driven automation reducing manual effort and improving decision quality across finance and procurement.

Deloitte emphasises that procurement must move from transactional processing, to insight-led value creation to meet modern CFO expectations.

The ambition is there. The problem is structural.

Procurement teams are often:

Lean relative to spend under management

Burdened with manual processes

Operating across fragmented systems

Dependent on legacy ERP architecture

Even when CFO's fully support cost efficiency initiatives, procurement leaders struggle to execute because they lack manpower, clean data, optimal process and intelligent tooling.

The ERP Illusion: Control Without Intelligence

Multinational ERP platforms — such as SAP S/4HANA, Oracle ERP Cloud, or Microsoft Dynamics 365 — are incredibly powerful financial engines.

But they are not purpose-built data driven intelligence platforms, especially for areas such as procurement.

They:

Capture transactions.

Enforce controls.

Process invoices.

Store supplier records.

What they do not do well is:

Continuously benchmark pricing.

Detect commercial leakage, proactively.

Provide dynamic, AI-driven negotiation insights.

Surface supplier optimisation opportunities automatically.

Remove friction from Supplier relationships.

Worse, these systems are extremely expensive and complex. Companies often pay for vast feature sets they never fully deploy, let alone understand. Customisation is costly. Implementation cycles are long and upgrades can be highly disruptive.

As a result, procurement teams have no choice but to revert to:

Excel models.

Offline bid comparisons.

Manual supplier evaluations.

Email-driven approvals.

Even pen and paper in parts of the workflow.

The industry becomes digitally "enabled", but not digitally optimised.

Even Major Procurement Suites Have Limitations

Many of the major procurement platforms such as Coupa, SAP Ariba, and Jaggaer have advanced the market significantly.

Yet challenges remain:

Rigid workflows.

Heavy configuration.

Limited/Non existent contextual AI.

Fragmented modules across sourcing, contracts, and P2P.

High total cost of ownership.

They digitise process, but often stop short of delivering continuous, embedded intelligence.

Procurement becomes systemised, but not truly strategic.

AI Changes the Equation

Artificial intelligence shifts procurement from reactive administration to proactive optimisation.

Instead of merely recording what has happened, AI answers:

Where are we overpaying?

Which suppliers present commercial risk?

Which contracts contain value leakage?

Where can we renegotiate based on real-time market data?

Which spend categories are fragmented and unleveraged?

AI can:

Benchmark pricing at ...

Irish critical infrastructure specialist, Turnua, has announced a new partnership with Future Academy to launch the Turnua Future Academy, a digital skills and innovation hub focused on developing AI and digital skills for enterprises and students alike. Based at Turnua's Critical Infrastructure Hub in Naas, County Kildare, the partnership is designed to give students and professionals practical experience in digital, AI, and innovation skills within a real-world infrastructure environment. The Turnua Future Academy is Turnua's innovation and capability hub, connecting students, small businesses, and large enterprises with future skills through real-world building rather than classroom learning.

Delivered within Turnua's purpose-built Critical Infrastructure Hub, the project will support a range of programmes focused on practical learning and real-world application. These include hands-on innovation camps for Transition Year students as well as digital and AI workshops and readiness diagnostics for enterprises. This blended approach is designed to strengthen links between education, industry, and community, while ensuring learning remains grounded in current and emerging technology needs.

For SMEs and enterprise teams, the Turnua Future Academy will deliver practical AI and digital build workshops designed to help organisations adopt modern technologies with confidence. These sessions focus on developing real outputs, such as digital tools, automations, and AI-powered solutions, created during guided, hands-on workshops. This is complemented by a Digital and AI Readiness Diagnostic, which supports business leaders in understanding digital maturity, identifying capability gaps, and developing a clear, actionable roadmap aligned to organisational goals.

The Transition Year (TY) Innovation Build Camps will place students inside the type of environment where modern digital systems, AI workloads, and infrastructure are designed and operated. Working in teams, students will have the ability to share ideas, identify opportunities, build prototypes, and pitch their final concepts to community partners with the goal of developing confidence and practical capabilities. The TY programme is supported by engagement with businesses, who provide real-world challenges and act as project sponsors.

A recent report from Microsoft and Trinity College Dublin estimates that AI adoption could add €250 billion to Ireland's GDP by 2035. However, the same report also highlighted a lack of expertise and uncertainty around structured deployment as key barriers to AI adoption in Ireland. Meanwhile, the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment has set an ambition for 75 percent of all businesses in Ireland to be using AI, cloud, and big data by 2030. The collaboration between Turnua and Future Academy will help address the country's AI skills shortages and better equip the Irish workforce, from students to seasoned professionals.

Speaking about the partnership, David Cox, Founder and Managing Director of Turnua, said: "We are very excited to launch this programme in partnership with Future Academy. I am personally passionate about equipping younger generations to better navigate the digital landscape aligned with the future of work. The Turnua Future Academy brings us one step closer to bridging the digital skills gap in a modern Irish workforce."

Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, added: "Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Ireland's homegrown entrepreneurs to succeed in global markets, and this includes a focus on boosting productivity and embracing the true potential of digital tools like AI. Turnua's partnership with Future Academy is a fantastic example of how Irish companies are proactively addressing digital skills needs by providing a hands-on environment for AI and digital transformation at their Naas hub. This partnership will support them to future-proof their own operations, while also providing an important resource for ...

Jon Neale recently joined Kahoot!, Europe's largest edtech to expand its education and business partnerships across the UK and Ireland. Jon is an expert in scaling edtech adoption across K-12, Further Education, and Higher Education, with over two decades of experience working in edtech. He joins Kahoot! following senior roles at Quizizz and Ed Before Tech. I recently caught up with Jon to find out more about Kahoot! and edtech.

Jon talks about his background, what Kahoot! does, the UK & Ireland priorities for edtech expansion right now and more.

More about Kahoot!:

Kahoot! already partners with industry giants worldwide such as Disney, Sanrio (makers of Hello Kitty), TED, and Wikipedia, among others. The game-based learning platform is used by 97% of Fortune 500 companies and widely used by FTSE 100 to engage workforces.

See more stories here.

New research by Switcher.ie has revealed the best Irish towns for work-life balance. The study is based on a range of factors, including access to local amenities such as primary schools, major supermarkets, and leisure centres; essentials like broadband and mobile connectivity; house prices and crime rates; and proximity to green spaces and transport routes.

Top 10 towns for work-life balance

Arklow claimed the top spot as the best town in Ireland for striking the perfect work-life balance. With surprisingly affordable house prices outside the city, it offers a winning mix of excellent local amenities and good connectivity for hybrid working, plus plenty of green spaces and a scenic coastline to boost well-being.

Here's a snapshot of the top 10. For the full ranking and more top 5 winners, see Ireland's best towns for work-life balance 2026.

Rank

Town

Median House Price

Work-Life Balance Score

1

Arklow

€290,000

6.44

2

Ballina

€196,250

6.42

3

Enniscorthy

€290,000

6.40

4

Wicklow

€420,000

6.13

5

Cork City

€347,363

5.97

6

Gorey

€350,000

5.93

7

Tramore

€329,999

5.90

8

Dublin City

€505,997

5.90

9

Longford

€200,000

5.71

10

Sligo

€270,000

5.65

Most affordable

Ballina was the most affordable town to buy a house in our study. House prices were based on the median house price in October 2025 (Residential Property Price Index).

Top 5 affordable towns to live & work: Ballina, Longford, Letterkenny, Cavan and Mallow

For families

Ballina has taken the top spot as the best town for balancing work and family. To calculate the best town to work with a family, we summed index scores for house prices, crime rate, number of GP surgeries and primary schools.

Top 5 towns for families to live & work: Ballina, Castlebar, Enniscorthy, Killarney and Longford

For hybrid working

Dublin was the best place for hybrid working; the city of Cork and areas of Kildare and north Dublin (Fingal*) also performed well. To calculate the best towns for hybrid working, we summed index scores for average broadband and mobile speeds and distance to major roads and bus stops. This data was only available at the county and city levels.

Top towns for broadband and mobile connectivity: Dublin, Cork, North Dublin and Kildare. For transport links: Cork, Galway, Dublin and Sligo.

For health, fitness & well-being

Galway came in tops for access to leisure facilities and green spaces, essential for achieving a good quality of life. To rank our towns, we summed the index scores for distance to leisure centres and outdoor sports facilities, the number of public parks, and access to national parks and coastlines.

Top 5 towns for health & well-being: Galway, Dublin, Wicklow, Cork and Arklow

For shopping & eating

Killarney was the best place for your weekly shop, grab a bite to eat, or catch up over coffee. To find our top towns, we summed the index scores for the number of major supermarkets and cafes in the area.

Top 5 towns to shop, eat and refresh: Killarney, Ballina, Cavan, Gorey, Longford

Commercial Director of Switcher.ie, Eoin Clarke says:

"The Work-Life Balance Act 2023 ushered in a new era of working arrangements for many employees. It meant that workers with families or caregiving responsibilities could seek flexible work options and a better quality of life.

Property prices are often a crucial factor for homebuyers, but broadband and mobile connectivity, easy access to local amenities, and proximity to green spaces can have a huge impact when juggling work with family or other commitments.

Switcher's research highlights several towns across Ireland that offer young professionals and working families a mix of affordability, accessibility, a superb quality of life, and excellent broadband and mobile connectivity for remote working.

Our top performers spanned the country, with Ballina and Sligo on the scenic west coast, Cork in the south, Longford in the heart of Ireland and a cluster of coastal towns on the east coast.

If you're starting your hunt for a new home, it could...

By Andrew Bryant is the founder of Self Leadership International and author of POTENTIAL-IZE: Unlock Potential, Maximize Performance, Inspire Excellence (Wiley, 2026).

AI can now compose symphonies, pass the bar exam, and generate text that reads like it was written by a human hand. So, when people ask me, "What is left for us to do?" I give them an answer that surprises them.

Tell stories.

Not because storytelling is a quaint leftover from the pre-digital era, but because it is the one capability that reveals exactly where the boundary between human and artificial intelligence lies. And understanding that boundary is the key to thriving in the age of AI rather than being diminished by it.

Humans Tell Stories, AI Can Only Simulate Them

The Necessity, Not Just the Ability

AI can undoubtedly generate compelling text that mimics stories. Large language models produce narratives with structure, tension, and resolution. On the surface, the output can be impressive. But there is a fundamental difference between simulating a story and telling one.

When humans tell stories, we do not simply relate to sequences of events. We weave meaning, emotion, and significance into experience. Our stories emerge from the texture of being embodied in the world: feeling pain, desire, love, loss, and wonder. Our narratives build upon generations of shared wisdom, values, and traditions. Through stories, we make sense of our existence, creating purpose in a universe that does not readily offer obvious meaning.

AI has none of this. It has no childhood memories. No experience of triumph or despair. No fear of death or hope for transcendence. It cannot love. These are not limitations that will be solved by the next model upgrade. They are the defining characteristics of what it means to be human.

What makes us distinctive is not just the ability to tell stories but the necessity of doing so; our fundamental need to transform experience into narrative as we search for meaning in our finite existence.

Why This Matters for Leaders

This is not a philosophical abstraction. It has direct implications for how we lead, hire, and build organisations.

Neuroscience research (Stephens et al., 2010) demonstrates that storytelling creates "neural coupling." When someone tells a story, the listener's brain activity mirrors that of the storyteller, creating a deep emotional connection. This is how trust is built. This is how cultures are formed. This is how human beings decide to follow someone into the unknown.

No algorithm replicates this. When Klarna deployed AI to handle 2.3 million customer service conversations, it worked brilliantly on paper. But the company quietly rehired humans because efficiency is not the same as effectiveness. Customers in distress did not want processing. They wanted presence, and presence lives in stories.

In my research for POTENTIAL-IZE (Wiley, 2026), I studied hundreds of leaders who have successfully navigated the AI transition. They all follow, often unconsciously, six interconnected principles I call the IGNITE framework: Inspire, Guide, Nurture, Integrate, Transform, and Evaluate.

The first element, Inspire, is where storytelling lives. Leaders who inspire do not recite data points or strategic objectives. They share stories that give people permission to reimagine who they are and what they are capable of. They become, as mythologist Joseph Campbell described, the mentor in someone else's hero's journey, the person who sees potential where others see limitations.

But here is what IGNITE reveals that most leadership models miss: storytelling is not just a communication technique. It connects to every other element of the framework. When leaders Guide through questions rather than directives, they are inviting people to author their own stories. When they Nurture belief and belonging, they create the psychological safety for those stories to be told honestly. When they help people Transform through adversity, they are reframing s...

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien has announced significant new funding of almost €35 million to further support local authorities as they continue to drive forward climate action in our communities. This funding underpins the continued commitment of Government to local climate action and recognises the key role of local authorities in supporting communities as we transition to a climate neutral economy.

€35 million for climate action in communities

€30 million START Scheme to support local climate action

As part of the European Union's Just Transition Fund (EU JTF) programme, which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU, €30 million is being provided to local authorities in the Midlands EU Just Transition Territory to support their local climate action. The new scheme, Supporting a Sustainable Transition through Climate Action for a Resilient Territory (START) will support Local Authority-led Climate Action Plan infrastructure projects and feasibility studies that align with the EU JTF programme. The types of projects that local authorities can submit for consideration under this closed call include but are not limited to:

Renewable energy solutions, enhancing community engagement, promoting sustainability;

Enhancing energy efficiency of public and community buildings;

Active travel and sustainable transport;

Transforming former landfill sites into tourism/recreational spaces, developing community/heritage spaces, enhancing public amenities.

Additional €4.9 million for Local Authority Climate Action:

A further €4.9 million is also being made to support Local Authority climate action across Ireland. This will break down as follows:

The three Irish cities in the EU Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission – Cork, Dublin and Galway – will be able to access funding of €2 million next year. This will help the cities to deliver projects which move them to becoming climate neutral by 2030.

A new fund of €1.5 million will be set up to assist local authorities with their Decarbonising Zones (DZs). DZs are spatial areas which have been selected by local authorities as the focus for climate mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity projects.

There is a new €2.5 million European Regional Development Fund scheme for local authorities in the northern and western region. It offers funding for local projects in Decarbonising Zones on adaptation or the protection of biodiversity and green infrastructure. The Department is committing €1 million in funding.

Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) will receive €2.4 million in 2026 – an increase of €400,000. The offices support local authorities to deliver climate action, helping them develop local climate plans and sharing best practice across the regions.

These announcements follow a funding commitment at the end of 2025 of €26.9m to fund community climate action projects and a Community Climate Action Officer in each Local Authority to 2027.

Commenting on the funding, Minister O'Brien said:

"Our local authorities are the leaders in making sustainability at a community level a reality. Through the Community Climate Action Programme, hundreds of projects across communities have been and will be funded with the support of over €50 million from the Climate Action Fund from 2023 to 2027. I'm delighted now to announce, in addition, the launch of a new €30 million Just Transition scheme investing further in the Midlands, and to increased climate funding for local authorities in 2026 of almost €5 million. This funding demonstrates our commitment to local authorities and communities, supporting them to deliver the meaningful, place-based climate action required for their specific needs."

Commenting on the launch of the START scheme, Clare Bannon, A/Director for Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, said:

"EMRA is looking forward to launching the START scheme which marks a transformative moment for the wider Midlands region. With this vital boost of investm...

Provisional data from EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland's electricity grid, shows that 39% of electricity in January came from renewable sources.

This compares to a similar figure for the same month last year, with official metered data showing that 40% of electricity in January 2025 was generated by renewables.

Most of the renewable energy generated last month came from wind, amounting to 33% of all the electricity used in January. Total generation from wind energy was 1119 GWh (Gigawatt hours), compared to 1243 GWh in December.

While solar power contributed just under 1% to the overall fuel mix in January, it still had a contribution to the fuel mix on brighter days, illustrating its benefit even during colder winter months.

Generation from grid scale solar peaked at 371 MW (~8% of Ireland System Demand) on Wednesday 28 January at 12.45 pm. In addition, it is estimated an equivalent amount of embedded solar generation (mostly rooftop) occurred at this time, depressing total system demand.

Gas generation accounted for 44% of all electricity used last month, and 16% was imported via interconnection.

New all-time demand peaks for a Saturday and a Sunday were recorded in January.

On Saturday, 3 January at 5.39 pm, demand reached 5297MW. This was the most demand on the electricity system on a Saturday for twelve months, with the previous record set on Saturday 4 January 2025.

Similarly, on Sunday, 4 January, demand reached 5480MW at 5.31 pm. The previous record for peak demand on a Sunday was recorded on 30 November 2025.

The overall electricity system demand stood at 3409 GWh in January,up from 3234 GWh in December and 2,894GWh in January 2025.2

While a new system peak demand of 6,024MW was set in January 2025, the peak demand this January did not surpass the 6,000 MW mark, standing at 5916 MW and recorded on Monday, 5 January at 5.47 pm. This is largely due to milder temperatures this January versus January 2025.

Diarmaid Gillespie, EirGrid's Director of System Operations, said:

"The high demand on the system that we have seen over recent months and that we expect at this time of year continued in January.

"Notably, there were all-time demand peaks for a Saturday and a Sunday recorded in the month, with the record set on Saturday 3 January the highest that we have seen for a Saturday since the same weekend last year. Parts of the country experienced a cold snap with snow and ice over that first weekend of the year, which will in part explain the high level of demand on the electricity system.

"Similarly to what our recent data shows us, January again saw a significant amount of renewable energy contributing to the overall fuel mix."

We look at three new offerings from the Canyon team.

Canyon keyboards and a mouse to check out

Firstly here is the info for the keyboard and mouse https://digital.canyon.eu/?c=8832&k=e30622f271 and then here also https://digital.canyon.eu/?c=9365&k=b6613664fe . In general Canyon's products are usually good value, robust, and worth considering in a high usage location, and, or with active users.

Canyon have announced the release of two sleek and high-functioning wireless accessories— the Wireless Keyboard HKB-W01 and the Wireless Mouse 2.4 GHz & Bluetooth—offered in vibrant blue and, for those wanting a softer look, now also available in chic pink. These are both playful and colourful which could work well with younger users and gamers.

More details about the Canyon keyboards and mouse

The Canyon Wireless Keyboard HKB-W01 delivers a whisper-quiet typing experience tailored to home and office alike. Its full-size layout provides comfortable and accurate key positioning, while wireless 2.4GHz connectivity offers stable performance from up to 10 metres away. Weighing just around 40g and compatible with both Windows and macOS systems, this keyboard brings modern design and productivity to any workspace.

Paired perfectly is the Canyon Wireless Mouse 2.4 GHz & Bluetooth. This ultra-portable device features a high-precision optical sensor with up to 2400 DPI, multiple adjustable sensitivity levels, dual-mode wireless connectivity (2.4GHz and Bluetooth), and silent click buttons tested for up to 3 million clicks. With a light 65g build and ergonomic design, it's well-suited for both professional and personal use.

Both accessories offer a bold blue finish ideal for contemporary workspaces—and now introduce a pink variant for users who prefer a more playful or personalised aesthetic. The matching colours make them a standout set for anyone looking to elevate their desk setup while keeping functionality at the forefront.

Available from Harvey Norman – https://www.harveynorman.ie/computing/computer-accessories/keyboards-en/canyon-silent-wireless-keyboard-pink.html

https://www.harveynorman.ie/computing/computer-accessories/keyboards-mice/canyon-mw-12-wireless-mouse-pink.html

RGB Keyboard

https://digital.canyon.eu/pages/search.php?search=%21collection9289&k=58bc31eb4a

https://www.harveynorman.ie/computing/computer-accessories/keyboards-en/canyon-rgb-wireless-keyboard-black.html

Work, game, or create with seamless precision – the HKB-W11 Wireless Keyboard is designed for those who want more from their setup. With dual connectivity, switch effortlessly between 2.4GHz wireless and two BT channels. It's perfect for multi-device users who work across laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Enjoy every keystroke with the scissor-switch mechanism that delivers a responsive, quiet, and comfortable typing experience built to last with 113 keys and a 10-million keystroke lifespan. The tactile feel enhances productivity without the noise as you're crunching numbers, writing reports, or chatting with friends.

A touch of personality is there with 7-color RGB backlighting and key illumination, so you can type in low-light settings with ease. The slim, modern design adds sophistication to any workspace, while the splash-proof construction provides durability, protecting your keyboard from accidental spills. Forget about constantly swapping batteries, too – this keyboard is fully rechargeable with a built-in 1600mAh Li-Polymer battery. You'll get hours of uninterrupted use on a single charge. Plus, with 12 multimedia function keys, there's instant access to volume, playback, and other essential controls at your fingertips. Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, the HKB-W11 is the ultimate wireless wonder for those who want power, flexibility, and a flawless typing experience every time.

Fluid Typing Experience – Scissor Switch

Experience precision and comfort with the scissor-switch mechanism, which delivers smooth, responsive keystrokes with minimal...

It would cost approximately €60,112 per year to 'employ' someone to do the myriad of jobs carried out by a stay-at-home parent. But more than eight in ten (82%) adults across Ireland still fail to recognise the true financial worth of the people fulfilling this crucial role in homes all around the country.

The latest survey from Royal London Ireland, a leading provider of life insurance and pensions in Ireland, shows that less than one in five (18%) of the 1,000 adults polled nationwide estimate the cost of carrying out the responsibilities of a stay-at-home parent at over €50,000. On average, adults estimated the cost at €34,477 – a shortfall of more than €25,000 compared to Royal London Ireland's calculated notional salary.

Now in its 10th year, Royal London's Stay-at-Home Parent report examines how adults in Ireland assess the monetary worth of parents who provide full-time care and household management at home and aims to raise awareness of the invisible monetary value of the contribution provided by stay-at-home parents that deserves both support and consideration in financial planning. The estimated value given by the Irish public is then compared with market research on the possible cost of hiring someone to carry out the full range of parenting duties.

The role's estimated annual equivalent has increased by 5.2% to €60,112 – up from €57,140 in 2024 – and representing an overall rise of about 48% from €40,560 when the study was first conducted ten years ago in 2015. According to the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) Vital Statistics Annual Report, 54,526 babies were born in 2023, with 16% of mothers identifying their occupation as a homemaker.

Karen O'Flaherty, Senior Propositions Executive of Royal London Ireland, commented,

"Ten years of this research has consistently shown that the responsibilities carried out by stay-at-home parents form a vital part of how families function. Since the study began in 2015, the estimated annual value of a stay-at-home parent has risen by nearly 50%, yet public perception has not kept pace.

Stay-at-home parents carry out an enormous amount of daily responsibilities, from childcare and household organisation to education support, taxiing, and daily logistics – all of which would be very expensive to replace. While many working parents balance similar duties alongside their jobs, this research highlights just how essential the contributions of all parents are, and the importance of ensuring they have adequate financial protection, such as life insurance or serious illness cover, to safeguard their family's wellbeing if the unexpected occurs".

The 10th edition of the Royal London Ireland Stay-at-Home Parent Survey found:

More than one in five women (22%) accurately estimated that the cost would exceed €50,000, compared to 14% of men.

One in four adults (24%) believes it would cost just €20,000–€30,000 to hire someone to take on the responsibilities of a stay-at-home parent, while a further one in five (21%) places the cost between €30,000–€40,000.

Men (28%), adults aged 18–24 (29%) and those over the age of 55 (29%) were the groups most likely to estimate the salary at €20,000–€30,000.

People aged 35–44 were the most likely to correctly estimate the financial value at over €50,000 (22%).

One in five residents of Leinster (21%) and Dublin (20%) estimated the value at above €50,000 – the highest accuracy levels compared with other regions.

A notable one in twenty (6%) believe the cost would be under €10,000, highlighting a significant underestimation of the role.

Ms O'Flaherty continued,

"What really emerges from this year's findings is how people's own life stage shapes their understanding of the role. Those who placed the highest value on the work of a stay-at-home parent tend to be in the 35–44 age bracket, which is the group most likely to be raising young children themselves and dealing directly with the practical and financial demands it entails.

This aligns with recent CSO d...

Ireland made a giant leap in the evolution of its space, innovation and advanced manufacturing ecosystem with the official launch of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland, the country's first European Space Agency (ESA) Phi-Lab, headquartered at Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) in Mullingar. The new facility, run in collaboration with the AMBER Centre at Trinity College Dublin, is to be Ireland's national platform for space technology development, anchoring the country's ambitions within Europe's fast-growing space economy.

The launch forms part of a wider national commitment to the European Space Agency, with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment committing €170 million in investment to ESA over the next five years. The establishment of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland in Mullingar represents a flagship element of that investment, translating policy ambition into tangible national infrastructure designed to accelerate space-enabled innovation, industrial competitiveness and high-value job creation.

ESA Phi-Lab Ireland was formally launched by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, who unveiled a commemorative plaque at IMR's Advanced Manufacturing Lab. Produced using a space-grade additive manufactured material mounted on a local piece of 6,500-year-old Irish Bog Oak, the plaque heralds Ireland's formal entry into ESA's elite network of applied space-innovation centres, and reflects Ireland's growing role in shaping Europe's future space ambitions and technologies.

ESA Phi-Lab Ireland forms part of the European Space Agency's Phi-Lab initiative, whose mission is to bring research closer to commercialisation by bridging disruptive research and commercial needs. In direct response to needs coming from the commercial world, the Phi-Lab Network matures technologies in advanced manufacturing, materials discovery, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and robotics.

These technologies have direct application across in-space and terrestrial manufacturing, agriculture, energy systems, climate innovation, and critical infrastructure, positioning the new Mullingar-based centre at the intersection of space research and real-world industrial impact.

Speaking at the launch, Barry Kennedy, CEO of IMR, described the new Phi-Lab as a defining moment for Ireland's innovation landscape.

"Today marks a significant milestone in Ireland's space and innovation ambition. IMR is proud to lead the launch of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland, establishing it as a national platform for space technology development. This facility positions Ireland at the forefront of European space-enabled innovation, where advanced manufacturing, AI and data-driven technologies can be developed, tested and commercialised for global impact. Ultimately, this is about translating world-class research into real economic and societal value."

Minister Burke said the launch reflects Ireland's accelerating momentum within Europe's space and Deep Tech sectors.

"ESA Phi-Lab Ireland strengthens Ireland's position, and the midlands region, as a hub for advanced research, innovation and high-value enterprise. It demonstrates our long-term commitment to supporting cutting-edge technologies that will drive competitiveness, create skilled jobs and deliver solutions to global challenges, from advanced manufacturing to industrial transformation. The Government's €170 million commitment to ESA over the next five years is about ensuring Ireland plays a leading role in Europe's space future."

At the event, Minister Burke announced the first supported companies by ESA Phi-Lab Ireland – MBRYONICS and Ubotica Technologies – both having been selected from a highly-competitive Open Call last year. Minister Burke also announced the second Open Call for Proposals, which will continue to fund cutting-edge research in Irish industry across the entire life-cycle from materials discovery and testing to the scaled production of components optimised for the unique and challenging environment of space...