Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
965. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to list all current agricultural research and development initiatives in Ireland; the status of these initiatives; the details of plans to boost agricultural innovation and technology adoption in accordance with EU initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48833/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublicly funded agricultural research in Ireland primarily occurs through the competitive, public-good research funding provided by my Department, and through the core grant in aid that Teagasc receives on an annual basis. To a lesser extent, other state agencies and government departments, such as Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency, among others, also support agricultural research. Funding can also be secured through the Europe research programme termed Horizon Europe, specifically under Cluster 6 ‘Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment’ and the associated Soil Mission.
For my own Department, over €245 million has been committed since 2010 to research conducted across the agriculture, food, forestry and bioeconomy sectors. The research is currently supported through five strands comprising;
1. Thematic Research Strand,
2. an International Outreach Strand,
3. a Strategic Studies Strand,
4. an Industry Focused Strand, and
5. Coordination and Support Activities. Examples of activities include running large research calls every second year under the Thematic Research Strand.
In addition, my Department engages internationally under such initiatives as the US – Ireland R&D Partnership, or the Ireland – New Zealand Joint Research Mechanism in Agriculture and Climate.
In developing the specifications and topics for research calls, cognisance is taken of a variety of issues including EU policy developments. Therefore, the 2023 Thematic Call included topics such as agricultural systems with reduced reliance on chemical fertiliser or pesticides, in line with the EU Farm to Fork Strategy.
In order to boost innovation and technology adoption from the research funded, my Department requires all research proposals to include knowledge transfer plans and an impact statement. In addition, projects are encouraged to build relationships to promote the uptake of new solutions through an enhanced Agricultural Knowledge & Innovation System (AKIS). This will be an important feature in the implementation of our CAP Strategic Plan, and will enhance the transfer of research outputs onto farms.
