James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 611: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details of the revised programme for Government commitment to increase research and development in the health sector making Ireland a leading country for timing, access and relevance of clinical trials; the way she will increase research and development; the funding for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39117/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The Revised Programme for Government together with other Government documents such Building Ireland's Smart Economy, highlight the value of health research and the contribution it can make not just to health related goals but to broader social and economic ones. The Government is fully committed to health research. The Renewed Programme for Government contains a commitment to increasing and supporting research and development in the health sector as there is no doubt that without a dynamic and innovative health research system, our ability to develop health services and secure social progress and economic gain will be compromised.

As a further initial step in increasing and developing health research, I will tomorrow launch an Action Plan for Health Research. The Action Plan was developed by the cross-Departmental Health Research Group which is chaired by my Department. I am satisfied that the implementation of the Plan will meet the commitments set out in the Renewed Programme for Government and chart the way forward for health research in the coming years.

It is important to note that a number of Departments and funding agencies support health research activity across the third level sector, hospitals and other health care settings and in industry. The Action Plan for Health Research will provide a coherent set of actions designed to develop and coordinate research activities so as to fully exploit the health and economic benefits.