Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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267. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is satisfied with current Irish representation on the EU committees that determine the work packages of Horizon 2020 initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16747/14]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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268. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action being taken to coordinate the spacing of Irish applications for Horizon 2020 funding in order to maximise chances of success for Irish bids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16748/14]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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269. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if steps are being taken to encourage Irish applications for Horizon 2020 funding to focus on areas in which Ireland has a competitive advantage on account of its geography, border, or industry clustering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16749/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 to 269, inclusive, together.

Horizon 2020 is the EU’s programme for research and innovation with a budget of just under €80 billion and covering the period 2014 to 2020. Horizon 2020 is a core part of Europe 2020, the Innovation Union and the European Research Area and is responding to the economic crisis by investing in future jobs and growth, addressing people’s concerns about their livelihoods, safety and environment and strengthening the EU’s global position in research, innovation and technology.

Ireland is well positioned to benefit from Horizon 2020, building on an excellent performance by Irish researchers, agencies and companies in the preceding programme – the Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Innovation - from which almost €600 million in funding to participants in Ireland has been allocated to date.

In December 2013 the Government approved a national strategy for participation in Horizon 2020 together with an ambitious target of €1.25 billion in funding to Ireland over the lifetime of Horizon 2020. The strategy sets out a comprehensive range of actions designed to maximise Ireland’s participation in the programme and achieve the target, involving all of the key Departments, agencies and research performers. A Horizon 2020 High Level Group (HLG) under the chairmanship of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has been established to oversee the implementation of the national strategy for engagement with Horizon 2020. This includes identifying key areas of opportunity where Irish researchers, agencies and companies can maximise their participation in the programme.

A national support network, coordinated by Enterprise Ireland, has been established, comprising knowledgeable and experienced practitioners from relevant Departments and agencies, charged with helping companies and academics access the funding opportunities presented by Horizon 2020.

Horizon 2020 is implemented through 2 year work programmes. The first work programme covering the years 2014-2015 was adopted by the Commission following consultation with the relevant Programme Committees, comprising Member State delegates. The Irish delegates, comprising experts from the relevant Departments and agencies, played an active role in influencing and in finalisation of the relevant components of the 2014-2015 work programme. The strategy provides for the relevant Departments and agencies concerned to allocate the necessary resources for the implementation of the Horizon 2020 strategy and the High Level Group on Horizon 2020 will monitor Ireland’s participation in the programme as well as implementation of the national strategy.