Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am supportive of research, development and innovation, which are important elements of the economy. There is an understanding that investment in research and development allows foreign direct investment to be tied closer to the local economy. In addition, it allows for the development of products and services in future which are most likely to be created locally. I understand that research and development is used to a lesser extent by SMEs, which puts them at a competitive disadvantage to the FDI sector.

I am opposed to the Government's nebulous understanding of research and development. One cannot manage if one cannot measure. I have asked about the jobs ratio per euro invested in research, development and innovation, but the Minister said he does not know. That is quite shocking given the hundreds of millions of euro the Government is giving in grants and tax breaks for research and development. Surely the output of every euro spent should be known.

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