James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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867. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation following the publication of Innovation 2020, when scientists engaged in basic research will be able to apply for funding; the provisional deadline for applications in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24193/16]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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868. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation following the publication of Innovation 2020, to provide the total budget allocation for basic research in 2016 and funding ring-fenced for each year thereafter; the scientific disciplines which will be accommodated for grant funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24194/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 867 and 868 together.

Innovation 2020 contains a commitment to supporting the full continuum of research from frontier (basic) research to the creation and development of research-informed innovative products, processes and services. Funding for research is awarded according to the criteria set out in the various funding programmes operated by research funders irrespective of whether the research is basic or applied. Calls for proposals are announced at various times throughout the year depending on the research funder involved and details of such calls are advertised on the respective research funders’ websites. The most recent survey of R&D performed in the higher education sector (HERD survey published July 2015) shows that basic research accounted for 51% or €320m of that expenditure in 2012/13.

Under Innovation 2020, a competitive fund to support qualified researchers to undertake project-based frontier research is being developed. Funding will be awarded on the basis of the excellence of the research proposals and assessed through a rigorous and international peer-review process. The parameters for this programme will be determined by the Irish Research Council later this year.