Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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271. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the recent ranking of Ireland in the top ten ranking on the Global Innovation Index 2013, a survey by the World Intellectual Property Organisation and Cornell University; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33313/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s recent ranking of 10th in the Global Innovation Index 2013 is encouraging and a positive affirmation of our capabilities in this area. This is the 6th edition of the Global Innovation Index and it evaluated 142 economies worldwide, using 84 indicators. Ireland had relative strengths in knowledge and technology outputs, including knowledge creation, impact and diffusion; business sophistication including knowledge workers; innovation linkages and knowledge absorption; human capital and research, including education and research and development and the capacity of our institutions, in particular the favourable regulatory and business environment.

Innovation policy is about helping companies to perform better and contributing to wider social objectives such as growth, jobs and sustainability. The overall objective of the recent Action Plan for Jobs 2013 is to continue to get the economy back on the right path to sustainable, exporting, innovative and enterprise led growth and a key pillar of the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 is ‘Using Research and Innovation to Drive Job Creation’. The importance of investment in science, technology and innovation to Ireland’s on-going and future economic and social development and well-being has been well recognised by the Government. This investment in scientific excellence has, and continues to have, many positive impacts including powering an innovative and enterprising economy, creating high-value jobs, attracting, developing and nurturing business, scientists and talented people, and ensuring Ireland is connected and respected internationally.