Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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308. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which indigenous Irish companies and multinational corporations continue to have access to European grant aid for research and innovation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18084/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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With a budget of just under €80 billion and covering the period 2014 to 2020, Horizon 2020 is the EU's new programme providing access to European funding to researchers, research organisations and industry to engage in leading edge research, thus facilitating European economic recovery. 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 performed to a very high standard in the preceding programme, the Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Innovation 2007-2013 (FP7) with almost €600 million in funding to participants in Ireland having been allocated from call results to date, thereby achieving the national target set for Irish participation in this programme. It is important to remember that this funding is provided on a competitive basis, with excellence being the key award criterion.

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, under the chairmanship of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, has been established to oversee the implementation of the national strategy. This includes identifying key areas of opportunity where Irish researchers, agencies and companies can maximise their participation in the programme.

A national support network of National Contact Points 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.

I am confident that, building on our successful performance in FP7 and supported by our national strategy and a strong national support network, Irish companies and multinational corporations based in Ireland will continue to have excellent support to compete for Horizon 2020 funding.