Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 442: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total budget provided by her Department in each of the past five years for research and development; the corresponding figure for research and development in food product development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20780/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Over the past five years, my Department has allocated budget provisions totalling approximately €84.8 million for various research and development activities. This includes a total provision of €39.8 million for the food institutional research measure, FIRM. The details are as follows:

Much of the research carried out at third level institutes and Teagasc under FIRM is targeted at innovation and new product development. The programme has created a critical mass of expertise and capacity at these institutes and has given Irish food researchers opportunities to develop internationally respected capability at doctorate and post-doctorate level. FIRM has been instrumental in developing innovative food products, which contribute to food quality and safety as well as consumer health and nutrition.

In addition to the expenditure listed above, my Department has provided annual grant payments totalling €476 million, excluding pension provisions and capital expenditure grants, to Teagasc towards its ongoing programme of agricultural education, research and training. The details are as follows:

Teagasc, on average, spends approximately 45% of its total annual operating budget, including own resources, on research activities. Approximately, 29% of Teagasc's research budget relates to food research.