Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 6

Written Answers. - Research and Development.

Ivan Yates

Question:

112 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland's expenditure on research and development was 46 per cent of the average, as a percentage of GDP; and the proposals, if any, the Government has in conjunction with EC resources to increase this level of research and development expenditure.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

I am aware that gross Irish expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP is still only around 46 per cent of the EC average.

In recent years, the Science and Technology Programme, which is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, has been increasingly oriented towards the application of technologies to meet the needs of industry. In 1992, a new Industry R&D scheme was launched and £23 million has been made available to it for 1993. This attracts matching funds from industry. Under the next round of Structural Funds commencing in 1994, it is hoped to secure substantial additional funding for Science and Technology.

This funding, along with the increased awareness of the importance of R&D, should lead to further overall growth in R&D expenditure in Ireland in the coming years.