Microelectronics research sector's popularity wanes

The Republic's microelectronics research industry has expanded by 90 per cent in the past five years but a dramatic fall in numbers studying technology at third level is jeopardising future development, a lobby group for the sector has warned.

Some 1,397 worked in the field of high-value integrated circuit design last year, compared to 735 in 1998, according to a survey by IDA Ireland and Midas Ireland, a consortium of microelectronic companies and research institutions.

Employment was predicted to rise by 56 per cent to 2,182 in 2007, but only if steps were taken to debunk the belief, widely held among school leavers, that the high-tech industry was in the throes of irrevocable decline, Midas said.

New electronic engineering graduates are set to drop 20 per cent by 2006 because of a fall-off in applications to study the subject at college.

The outlook might grow even bleaker unless there was a concerted effort to promote microelectronics as a growth industry, said Mr Peter Kennedy, professor of microelectronic engineering at University College Cork.

Microelectronics firms had, in general, weathered the high-tech slowdown as they were engaged in a number of niches and did not depend solely on the computer industry, Mr Kennedy said.

Integrated circuit design required specialised, highly qualified staff and was generally immune to the upheavals that recently prompted heavy job losses in the computer manufacturing sector, he explained.

"There is demand for people with degrees, masters and PhDs and this demand will continue to grow according to the results of this survey," Mr Kennedy said.

The IDA seized on the data, saying the Republic was regarded as a global leader in integrated circuit design.

"In the past year alone, we have successfully won major investment such as RF Integration, which has established a new design centre in Cork with an investment of €11 million," said spokesman Mr Colm Donlon.

"Such companies employ people with high skills and carry out high value-added activities, which is in line with IDA's policy to attract the new and value-added investments in Ireland.

"The research needs of the industry are expected to increase by 58 per cent between now and 2006. This is the kind of timeframe which should be considered by leaving certificate students."

Integrated circuit systems design is forecast to be the industry's largest growth area in the next five years.

The numbers employed were expected to rise from 88 to 233, a 264 per cent increase, Midas said.