Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 June 2014
53. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which major foreign direct investors here have been in a position to access EU supports in terms of science and innovation grant aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23968/14]
View answerEuropean research programmes provide valuable opportunities for Irish-based firms to engage in high-level international research, while also being a critical source of non-exchequer funding for this important economic activity.
Running from 2014 to 2020 with a budget of almost €80 billion, Horizon 2020 is the EU’s new programme for research and innovation and is part of the drive to create new growth and jobs in Europe. Horizon 2020 is a core part of Europe 2020, the Innovation Union and the European Research Area and is responding to the economic crisis through investing in future jobs and growth, addressing people’s concerns about their livelihoods, safety and environment and strengthening the EU’s global position in research, innovation and technology.
Ireland is well positioned to benefit from Horizon 2020, building on our excellent performance in the last EU programme for research and development, the Seventh EU Framework Programme (FP7), where some €600m in funding was awarded to companies and academics in Ireland. Irish-based foreign multinationals are actively supported to engage in collaborative international research. In FP7 there were over 400 participations by 70 IDA Ireland client companies, with over €32m of funding awarded to such companies.
In December 2013, the Government approved a national strategy for participation in Horizon 2020 together with an ambitious target of €1.25 billion in funding to Ireland over the lifetime of Horizon 2020. The strategy sets out a comprehensive range of actions designed to maximise Ireland’s participation in the programme and achieve the target, involving all of the key Departments, agencies and research performers. A Horizon 2020 High Level Group, under the chairmanship of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, has been established to oversee the implementation of the national strategy. This includes identifying key areas of opportunity where researchers, agencies and companies in Ireland can maximise their participation in the programme.
A national support network of National Contact Points coordinated by Enterprise Ireland has been established, comprising knowledgeable and experienced practitioners from relevant Departments and agencies, charged with helping companies and academics access the funding opportunities presented by Horizon 2020.
I am confident that, building on our successful performance in FP7 and supported by our national strategy and a strong national support network, Irish companies and multinational corporations based in Ireland will continue to have excellent support to compete for Horizon 2020 funding.
