Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 June 2011
39 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he is in communication with the European Commission with a view to utilising all possible assistance towards the generation of employment through EU-sponsored innovation initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14697/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra102 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will set out the extent of EU support toward job creation with particular reference to innovation and research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14949/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 102 together.
I fully support the core elements of the European Union's new strategy for Jobs and Growth: Europe 2020 and its objectives to stimulate growth based on knowledge and innovation and a more sustainable and greener economy with high employment and social inclusion. These objectives are also broadly consistent with the Government's own strategies as set out in the Programme for Government and with the National Recovery Plan.
I believe that it is of vital importance to Ireland's interests in implementing this strategy that both Ministerial and Official links with the EU Commission, the European Parliament and other EU Institutions be strengthened and maintained.
At Official level, my Department has regular contact with EU Commission Officials on foot of the EU competitiveness and National Reform Programme monitoring and tracking processes. At Ministerial level, we are increasing our levels of engagement as we look forward to the Irish EU Presidency in 2013. Since my appointment as Minister, I have attended 2 formal Councils in Brussels and have met with four Commissioners, including Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn who has responsibility for research and innovation. At these meetings I took the opportunity to, first and foremost, underline the important national efforts at recovery underway and explained that restructuring of the banks was key in terms of releasing lending to SMEs. I emphasised that exports are key to our growth model which is built on tax certainty and therefore I also highlighted our concerns on Corporation Tax.
In recognition that business and enterprise create jobs and drive economic growth and innovation, the Commissioners concurred that it was essential that the optimal environment and framework conditions be in place to allow this to happen. At EU level, I agreed that it was important that we continue to develop strong demand side innovation policy instruments in areas such as standardisation, public procurement supporting innovation, an integrated EU venture capital market and the development of more competitive solutions, better regulation and tackling red tape and duplication. We will be working with our EU partners and the EU Commission to bring these policy instruments and associated measures to fruition through the various Council Working Groups and Committees and in particular through the EU Competitiveness Council.
The Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP7), with a budget of over €50 billion over the period 2007 to 2013, is the EU's main instrument for funding research and development in Europe. In order to extract the maximum benefit from the opportunities available within FP7, a National Support Network has been put in place, headed by a National Director for FP7 based in Enterprise Ireland who leads a team of national contact points for various elements of the Programme. Ireland's target for drawdown of funds from FP7 over the lifetime of the programme is €600 million. Achievement of this target is well on track, with some €269m already awarded by end 2010. I am determined that we will achieve the target set.
Ireland also continues to exploit its membership of the European Space Agency (ESA) by supporting Irish companies to develop new products and services, generating increased employment and export sales in participating companies. Ireland's ESA membership has contributed to the development of a highly knowledge-intensive industry sector with over 60 Irish technology companies having secured ESA contracts since 2000.
Both the Minister for Research and Innovation, Mr. Sean Sherlock, and the Minister for Small Business Mr. John Perry are actively engaged in Europe, Minister Sherlock on the Research, Development and Innovation agenda and Minister Perry as the newly appointed National SME Envoy for Ireland, following the Commission initiative to gather a group of High Level Representatives from each Member State to meet regularly and to represent the interests of small business.
