Michael Finucane
Ceist:121 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the projects which have received research and development from the EC for the 1993 to 1994 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Research and Development Projects.
Under the third EC Framework Programme in Research and Technological Development 1990-1994 the EC funds research under six main headings as follows:
Information and Communications Technologies
Industrial and Materials Technologies
Environment
Life Sciences and Technologies
Energy
Human Capital and Mobility
Transnational consortia, which may include Irish organisations (companies, universities research agencies), and organisations from other EC member states and EFTA countries can compete for project funds under these programmes. The allocation is decided on the quality of the scientific proposals made.
To date, 96 Irish organisations have participated in the specific programmes of the framework programmes and have secured 435 awards with a total estimated value of 65 million ecus. Of this amount, decisions were made to award approximately 5 per cent in 1990, 28 per cent in 1991, and 67 per cent in 1992. Details of awards to date in 1993 are not yet available.
Most of the original budget for the third framework programme has already been allocated. However, additional moneys (made available through supplementary funding) has recently been approved by Council and will begin to become available towards the end of 1993. On the basis of decisions taken to date, Irish organisations can expect to secure further projects in the period to 1994 should they compete for these.
In addition to the framework programme, Irish organisations received 145 awards to a value of 22 million ecus for participation in related programmes outside the framework programme (for example, Thermie, Sprint, STAR, Comett etc.). Of this approximately 21 per cent was awarded in 1990, 26 per cent in 1991 and 53 per cent in 1992. Details are not yet available in relation to 1993.