Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he has had recent discussions with the EU Commissioner with responsibility for research, innovation and science with a view to maximising the benefit to this economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36335/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Both I and the Minister for Research and Innovation, Sean Sherlock, TD, continue to engage with the EU Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn on a regular basis including at meetings of the EU Competitiveness Council with a view to ensuring that Ireland maximises its return from the EU Framework Programme in terms of funding and increased research and technological knowledge for Irish enterprise, with a view to increasing the opportunities for job creation in the Irish economy.

The current Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) running from 2007 to 2013 offers Ireland's SMEs, multinationals, and research institutions valuable opportunities to participate in high-calibre research collaborations with our European counterparts. Based on the latest data, Ireland is participating in the Framework Programme from a far stronger position than ever before. A critical mass of research activity has developed in both the public and private sectors. A target of €600 million in research funding to Irish researchers and enterprises has been set for the period 2007 to 2013.