James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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865. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation following the publication of Innovation 2020, when the first meeting of the implementation body took place; the number of meetings that have taken place in 2016; the remaining number of meetings that are planned in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24191/16]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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866. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation following the publication of Innovation 2020, the mechanism in place to review progress and ensure targets in the strategy are being met on an annual basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24192/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 865 and 866 together.

To underpin the whole of Government approach to Innovation 2020, an Implementation Group chaired by my Department and comprising representatives from key Government Departments, research funding agencies and the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government has been established and is tasked with driving delivery of the actions in Innovation 2020.

The Implementation Group has met twice to date this year. At its first meeting on 4th March 2016, a Work Programme containing 53 actions for initiation in 2016 was agreed. At its second meeting on 13th May, a progress report outlining progress for the first six months was agreed.The report shows that three of the 53 actions identified for initiation in 2016 are complete and the remainder have been initiated. The Implementation Group will meet again in Autumn this year, date to be confirmed.

As committed to in Innovation 2020, the Implementation Group is to report annually to the Cabinet Committee on progress in achieving high-level targets and delivering on actions. The first Progress Report was brought to the Cabinet Committee for the Economy, Trade and Jobs on 14th July and was noted by Government on 19th July. The Progress Report was published on 20th July and is available on my Department’s website www.djei.ie.