From:Department of Culture, Communications and Sport

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, has today announced funding of up to €5.7m for the TransEuroOGS project which includes the South East Technological University (SETU) and the Galway-based deep-tech company Mbryonics.

The Department will be providing co-funding, alongside the European Commission, for the Irish element of a pan-European satellite-based quantum communication infrastructure. The funding will support the development of a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)-secured satellite ground station in Ireland, providing the critical infrastructure necessary to protect highly sensitive communications from future threats.

TransEuroOGS is part of a European Union initiative, EuroQCI, which aims to build a secure quantum communication network across the European Union. The TransEuroOGS consortium is comprised of leading companies and universities across Ireland, Germany, Luxembourg and Greece, and has been successful in winning competitive funding from the European Commission, through the Connecting Europe Facility, which will partially fund the development of satellite-based quantum communications infrastructure across these member states.

Speaking today Minister O’Donovan said:

“The funding being announced today will support a 42-month long project to develop a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)-secured satellite ground station in Ireland by leading researchers and innovators based in Waterford and Galway.

“This funding provides for the building of key indigenous skills and capacities, helping both to strengthen research in quantum communications and support the growth of innovative Irish companies.

“As an island nation, QKD-secure satellite communication will be essential for Ireland’s future participation in highly secure pan-European connectivity services. It is becoming increasingly important to build new quantum communication technologies and networks to allow for the transmission of highly sensitive data and to ensure our networks’ long-term security.

“This funding provides for the development of secure connectivity services to address existing cybersecurity concerns and safeguard the fundamental sovereignty of communication across the EU contributing to Ireland’s security, defence and diplomatic communications.”

Dr. Deirdre Kilbane, Director of Research at Walton Institute, SETU, and Irish National Coordinator of TransEuroOGS, said:

“Walton Institute at SETU is proud to lead national efforts in the TransEuroOGS project to secure sensitive data and critical infrastructure from cyberattacks. Alongside our partners in Greece, Germany, and Luxembourg we are building a network of optical ground stations that will seamlessly link earth and space to deliver quantum-secure, cross-border connectivity across Europe.”

John Mackey, Mbryonics CEO, said:

“Securing the TransEuroOGS contract with the European Commission for the EuroQCI initiative is a watershed moment for Mbryonics and a proud milestone for Ireland as it steps into the EU Presidency. By designing and building this advanced quantum-enabled optical ground station, we are not just delivering cutting-edge hardware; we are anchoring a vital pillar of Europe's sovereign, quantum-secure future. This capability will safeguard critical national and pan-European communications against the cyber threats of tomorrow, ensuring European technological independence and protecting our shared digital infrastructure on a global scale.”

The National Digital & AI Strategy, Digital Ireland, published in February, outlined our commitment to investing in secure, resilient and future-proofed digital and AI infrastructure to grow and support Irish enterprise. That commitment is demonstrated by today’s announcement of funding to support the further development and adoption of a transformative secure quantum communication network infrastructure. This investment also supports the objectives of the Quantum 2030 to foster the research and innovation ecosystem in Ireland through collaboration between the higher-education sector, enterprise and Government.

The mission of TransEuroOGS is to build a fully interoperable QKD network of eight satellite ground stations spanning the four Member States. The funding announced today provides for the deployment of the Irish element of a trans-European Network of Optical Ground Stations as part of the wider EuroQCI project.

The Project forms Phase 2 of Ireland’s QCI project. Phase 1 of Ireland’s QCI project, which began in 2023, involved the development and deployment of QKD across a major fibre backbone network from Dublin to Cork via Waterford.

The European Commission is providing 50% of the total funding required, excluding VAT costs. The Department will contribute co-funding up to a maximum of €5.7m to the Irish TransEuroOGS partners, SETU and Mybronics, over the lifetime of the programme.