Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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73. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he expects European Union assistance by way of innovation and technology to directly benefit the indigenous business sector over the next five years; the likely effect on the economy as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38585/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The availability of European research and innovation programmes provides Ireland with valuable mechanisms for firms – indigenous and multinational - to engage in high-level international research to further their innovativeness and competitiveness. These programmes are also a critical source of non-Exchequer funding for this important economic activity.

The current EU Framework Programme for research and innovation, which is part of the drive to create new growth and jobs in Europe, is Horizon 2020 (H2020), which has a budget of close to €80bn. and runs over the period 2014-2020. Irish companies who compete successfully for funding from this large research funding resource will boost their innovative capability and competitiveness which in turn this will deliver strong national economic impacts.

Ireland performed excellently in the previous Framework Programme 7 (FP7) where over €620m. was awarded to Irish companies and academics. We have set ourselves an ambitious target of winning €1.25bn under H2020. In 2014, research proposals from Ireland to a value of €127m. were approved. We have therefore surpassed our Year 1 target – as set out in the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs – by 27%. The projects funded under H2020 will ultimately benefit indigenous industry by providing research capacity for innovation.

Our strategy to achieve our H2020 target is being driven by the H2020 High Level Group, chaired by my Department. All Departments and Agencies engaged in research funding are represented on the High Level Group and particular attention is being given to maximising industry participation in H2020.

The H2020 national support system is based in Enterprise Ireland and through a national office and a network of national contact points in the relevant programme areas of H2020, information and support is available to enterprise and researchers to facilitate their engagement with the opportunities available under H2020.