Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1345: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount spent by her Department on bio technology research projects each year from 1997 to date in 2007; the bodies which received such funding and the projects funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1578/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Most research in the modern biological sciences involves recourse to techniques of biotechnology. Accordingly many of the inter-institutional projects funded by my Department since 1997 under the Research Stimulus Fund Programme (RSFP), the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) and it's predecessor the Non Commissioned Food Research Programme (NCFRP), involved research of a biotechnological nature either in whole or in part. Consequently over 180 projects funded under these programmes comprise a biotech component, although the extent of that varies considerably from project to project. In view of the large number of projects involved details will be forwarded to the Deputy when the full list has been compiled.

In addition my Department provides funding to Teagasc for its work in providing advice, training and research to the agri-food sector. Information on biotechnology research projects undertaken by Teagasc should be sought directly from that organization.