Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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4. To ask the Taoiseach the contribution of and the value of the pharmaceutical sector to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38953/14]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The following table illustrates the trend in real growth in Pharmaceutical sector. Total real value added increased from €10.45 bn. in 2008 to €16.75 bn. in 2013 an increase of over 60%. The plateau in Total Pharmaceutical Sector value added in 2011 - 2012 and the decline in 2013 reflect the impact of the so called "pharma cliff" where a large number of patents for block buster drugs produced in Ireland expired. Nevertheless the significance of the sector remains at 10.6% of total GVA for the economy in 2013 and the latest data for the first two quarters of 2014 indicate a return to growth. As the vast majority of this sector is foreign owned the main impact of GVA produced is the employment effect, this is illustrated in the table on employment in this sector set out below. Despite the impact of the patent cliff employment in the sector continued to grow in 2013 to 35,390 from 32,644 in 2012.

Table 1: Pharmaceutical Sector Gross Value Added (GVA) in €millions at Constant Basic Prices (chain linked annually and referenced to year 2012)