Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has announced the location of the first Talent and Innovation Attaché position on the West Coast of the United States.

The Minister made the announcement as part of the US launch of the Government’s International Education and Innovation Strategy Global Citizens 2030 in Washington.

Minister Harris said “The quest for talent and innovation is at the heart of Global Citizens 2030.

“I am really pleased to confirm the decision to announce the first of our planned six Talent and Innovation Attachés will be based in the United States.

“The person will be based in San Francisco – the epicenter of innovation and talent in America and Ireland will now have a person permanently based there, dedicated to promoting Ireland as a destination for education and research.

“I hope it sends a clear message of Ireland’s intention to embed and expand the relationships we have here in America for the benefit of both our great countries, our economies and societies.”

Ireland’s new international Talent and Innovation Strategy, Global Citizens 2030, was launched by the Minister in January and proposes to develop a physical presence in six priority locations by 2030, to increase Ireland’s global ‘Talent and Innovation’ footprint globally as part of the Team Ireland approach.

The new attaché will be responsible for leveraging strategic relationships and partnerships with Irish and international organizations operating on the West Coast of the United States.

The Minister made the announcement at a reception to mark the launch of Global Citizens 2030 in the U.S. hosted by Ireland’s Ambassador, Geraldine Byrne Nason.

Speaking at the announcement Ambassador Byrne Nason said: "As Ambassador of Ireland to the U.S., I very much look forward to continuing to work to advance Ireland as a “go to” destination for education and research. Having a dedicated attaché for Talent and Innovation in San Francisco will be a tremendous boost in helping to grow our ambition and to deliver benefits for both of our countries."

Global Citizens 2030

Global Citizens 2030 is Ireland’s new Talent and Innovation Strategy. It sets out Ireland’s ambitions to embed excellence in talent and innovation into Ireland’s global footprint and is the first international strategy to encompass the breadth of tertiary education, and research and innovation systems.

It builds upon Ireland’s many achievements over the past decade and is intended to confirm Ireland’s place as a first-choice destination for international talent and as a thought leader in education, research, innovation and science policy.