James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the immediate contingency steps she is taking with European colleagues to ensure EU research and development funding is not reduced following the decision by the UK voters to leave the EU. [39105/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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On the 24^thof July the Government adopted a Contingency Framework identifying key policy issues to be managed by Government Departments arising from the referendum vote in the UK to leave the EU.

In that Framework we commit to undertaking a full assessment of the opportunities and threats arising from the future disengagement of the UK from the EU, including in relation to Horizon 2020 funded research. This will include an assessment of the possibility of a reduced overall fund if and when the UK’s contribution to the EU is withdrawn at some point. This work is being led by my Department in association with other Government Departments and relevant state agencies which fund research.

The full impact of the UK’s departure on the EU Research and Innovation budget will depend on the conclusion of negotiations between the UK and the EU. The UK exit could potentially mean a smaller EU budget for research. However, this could be offset by the opportunity for researchers and companies in Ireland to secure a greater percentage of EU funding due to the reduced competition.

The successor programme to Horizon 2020 will commence in 2021 and my officials continue to maintain regular contact with the European Commission and Member States to maximise the commitment of EU funding to Research and Innovation in that programme.