Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 480: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding reaching the EU Lisbon goals on research and development and innovation; the action being taken to achieve those goals in 2008 and 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26897/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The Lisbon agenda is aimed at making Europe more competitive and innovative on the world stage. As part of that process, the Barcelona European Council concluded that Europe as a whole should aim to reach a target of 3% of GDP on R&D by 2010, with two thirds of that spend to come from industry.

The emphasis placed on strengthening research in Europe coincides with the implementation of the most comprehensive plan for investment in science, technology and innovation that has ever taken place in Ireland. Under the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) 2006-2013, the Government has set a goal for Ireland to become a leader in research and development and innovation and has committed a budget of €8.2 billion under the NDP 2007-2013 towards achieving this goal.

Ireland has made progress towards the Lisbon R&D target in recent years. Total R&D performance by business, higher education and public sector (GERD) has risen from 1.32% of GNP in 2000 to 1.56% of GNP in 2006, the latest year for which data is available. Despite the down turn in the global economy, this improvement is expected to continue in light of the Government's commitment to develop a knowledge driven economy. The SSTI has set the objective of enhancing performance in R&D with a view to increasing gross expenditure on R&D to 2.5% of GNP by 2013. The achievement of this target will be monitored by my Department over the period of the Strategy.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 481: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount spent annually on business expenditure on research and development since 2000 to date in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26898/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The level of Business Expenditure on Research and Development (BERD) has increased from €784 million in 1999, to €900 million in 2001, €1,105 million in 2003, €1,329 in 2005 and €1,560 (estimated) in 2006 (all amounts in 2006 prices). BERD data is collected biennially, with survey respondents asked to provide expenditure details in respect of the previous year and an estimate of expenditure for the current year. At the present time, the year 2006 is the most recent year for which data is available. The 2008 biennial BERD survey is expected to commence in the autumn and will provide data for 2007 and an estimate for 2008.

The level of Business Expenditure on Research and Development has increased by 99% between 1999 and 2006, which is a very satisfactory indication of the impact of Government policies in the area of science, technology and innovation. The substantial increase in Business Expenditure is a direct result of those policies.