News Release: Innovation Key to Success as Ireland’s Funds and Asset Management Industry Surpasses €4.3trn AuM

• Irish domiciled funds reached a record 8,853, including sub-funds, and surpassed €4.3tn AuM at end-March 2024, a 15% increase year-on-year.

• Ireland is the third largest funds and asset management centre in the world and the 2nd largest in Europe, with the sector employing over 19,000 people.

• Innovation is driving private markets’ evolution in Ireland, with the recent launch of ELTIFs and significant growth of ILPs.

Dublin, 23 May 2024

Irish domiciled funds surpassed €4.3tn AuM (Assets under Management) at end-March 2024, a 15% increase in net assets year-on-year. The increase reflects continued growth across a range of fund types and strategies, including Ireland’s thriving ETF offering which currently stands at €1.24tn AuM, 70% of the European market.

Ireland is home to 6% of worldwide investment fund assets, making it the third largest centre in the world and the 2nd largest in Europe, with the total number of Irish domiciled funds, including sub-funds, reaching a record 8,853 - of these 5461 (61%) UCITS funds totalling €3,5bn in net assets, and 3392 (38%) AIF funds totalling €890bn.

At its 25th Annual Global Funds Conference Inflection Point: Ireland and Innovation, held today in Dublin, policymakers, regulators and industry leaders highlighted innovation as a driving force in Ireland’s success, including the ongoing evolution of private markets, with the launch of European Long Term Investment Funds (ELTIFs) following recent changes by the Central Bank of Ireland, and the growth of Investment Limited Partnerships, now numbering more than 50, after the overhaul of the partnership regime in Ireland in 2021.

Additionally, Ireland has also emerged as a leader in sustainable finance, being home to 1,664 Article 8 funds with approximately €1.2 trillion AuM and 159 Article 9 funds with approximately €30 billion, emerging as a leader in ESG products in Europe.

Irish Funds Chief Executive Pat Lardner said: “The Irish funds and asset management industry’s continued growth highlights the expertise and stability of Ireland’s asset management landscape, buoyed by constant innovation. The growth in sustainable finance and establishment of the ELTIF framework are testament to this. Facilitating investment into the real economy to support climate transition, fund businesses and build the EU’s capital markets is a key priority. This requires us to innovate further to develop Ireland’s offering to enable investments in long term assets and projects which is aligned with both domestic and EU policy. Our people are our key strength, 19,0000 of whom are directly employed by the industry across the island. They provide the expertise and skills to deliver the solutions individual and institutional investors are looking for.  

Additionally, the role the industry plays in underpinning the ability of individuals to achieve long-term financial well-being is critical. This is why Irish Funds expanded our Financial Literacy TY Programme for schools this academic year, engaging over 600 students across 10 counties. Irish Funds will continue to work with our wide-range of stakeholders to innovate and continue to grow the industry while supporting the Irish economy and the ability for people to build more secure futures.’

-Ends

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Notes to Editor

The Irish Funds Industry Association (Irish Funds) is the voice of the funds and asset management industry in Ireland. Founded in 1991, Irish Funds represents fund managers, depositaries, administrators, transfer agents, professional advisory firms and other specialist firms involved in the international fund services industry in Ireland.

Irish Funds’ 150+ members service or manage more than 13,000 funds with a net asset value of €5.9 trillion. Irish Funds works to ensure Ireland is the premier location to enable and support global investing through its reputation for trust, capability and innovation.

For further information about Irish Funds, please visit www.irishfunds.ie