John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is interesting that in the Deputy's region of Kildare 15 companies supported by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland are involved in research and development. These include Dawn Farm Foods, Green Isle Foods, Hewlett-Packard and Pfizer Ireland.

Through Enterprise Ireland, the Department, Science Foundation Ireland and the enterprise boards, there is a driving influence in research and innovation under Horizon 2020. Recently, we launched a disruptive technology fund, which is worth €500 million. The idea is to replace existing technology through research, development and innovation. It is important to note we can only go on European statistics. Ireland has gone from No. 9 to No. 8 in the list of top European countries for investing in research and development and for getting a good PhD. On the innovation scoreboard we have 17 dedicated research centres, which are highly regarded throughout Europe and the world for investment in those centres creating jobs. Through Science Foundation Ireland we have created approximately 31,000 jobs.

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