Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
487. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects or plans to upgrade medical research facilities nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31667/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraInnovation 2020, Ireland’s current national research and innovation strategy, has committed to developing the national network of Research Centres. Over the past several years Ireland has built up significant research capability through medical research focused on enabling Research Centres, Technology Centres and Technology Gateways.
In the medtech sector, these centres include: CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices; AMBER in Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research; CONNECT, the Centre for Future Networks and Communications; The Insight Centre for Data Analytics; CeADAR, Centre for Applied Data Analytics; ADAPT, Centre for Digital Content Technology; FutureNeuro; The Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC); IPIC Irish Photonic Integration Centre; Manufacturing Centres I-Form and Confirm; IMR (Irish Manufacturing Research); Tyndall and a number of Technology Gateways including: MICRA (Biodiagnostics), MET (Medical and Engineering Technologies), APT (polymer technology), Shannon Applied Biotechnology, GMedtech, Centre for eIntegrated Care (CeIC) DCU and The Innovation Value Institute (IVI).
Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Connected Health and Therapeutics are key research areas for Ireland within the Health and Wellbeing Research Priority Areas 2018-2023. Research and innovation in associated areas such as Manufacturing 4.0, 3D printing, Robotics, Internet of Things, Data Analytics and advanced materials also enables medical device development.
Ireland is among the top destinations of choice for Medtech investments into Europe with a world-class community of FDI multinationals and innovative start-ups, excellent research and effective collaboration across enterprise and the research system. World-class research with collaboration across enterprise, research institutions and clinicians make Ireland the perfect platform for Medtech companies to start, innovate, scale and export.
Ireland’s Medtech sector has become one of the leading producers of medical device products globally and is one of the largest exporters of Medtech products in Europe with annual exports of €12.6 billion and companies here directly export to over 100 countries worldwide.
Therapeutics research is a priority area for Irish research and basic biomedical science is a key science and technology platform underpinning Ireland’s priority areas. Ireland has developed strong capabilities and capacity in research associated with manufacturing and research disciplines underpinning the development and discovery of therapeutics. Ireland is recognised internationally in: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, gastroenterology and microbiome research.
Ireland is well positioned to be a leader in Pharma 4.0 supported by the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology Centre (PMTC), the Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals, (SSPC), and Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR).
Initial work has commenced on the development of the successor strategy to Innovation 2020 and the new Research and Innovation strategy will consider Ireland’s continued development of its research facilities including the medical sector.
