Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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605. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her role in formulating research and innovation policy at Government level. [15313/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation I have Government responsibility for the development, promotion and co-ordination of innovation, research and development policy and programmes. I am delegating responsibility for research and innovation policy and programmes to Minister of State, Mr Halligan, TD.

Innovation 2020, Ireland's new cross Government strategy for research and development, science and technology, was agreed by Government and launched by An Taoiseach in December 2015. The strategy, containing 93 actions for delivery up to 2020, was formulated by an Interdepartmental Committee chaired by my Department and comprising representatives from key Government Departments and the Higher Education Authority along with the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government.

A cross departmental Implementation Group, chaired by my Department, has been established. The role of this group is to drive the implementation of Innovation 2020 and ensure that all actions are delivered within set timeframes.