Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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560. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the interdepartmental preparations his Department is participating in to ensure businesses here are well positioned to participate in new defence-related research funding schemes being set up by the European Commission. [40579/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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In December 2013, the European Council, in its conclusions in relation to the Common Security and Defence Policy, highlighted that “Europe needs a more integrated, sustainable, innovative and competitive defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB) to develop and sustain defence capabilities. This can also enhance its strategic autonomy and its ability to act with partners”.

For many member States, the Defence sector is a significant contributor to jobs, growth and innovation. In the EU the Defence industry makes an economic contribution of €100 billion with 1.5 million direct and indirect employees. While Ireland does not have a defence industry, we do however have particular strengths in the area of dual use technologies and civil commercial technologies which can support defence capability and contribute to the Irish economy . These are the industries that need to be positioned to avail of research funding opportunities that will arise under the Preparatory Action and under the proposed European Defence Research Programme put forward by the Commission under the European Defence Action Plan.

The Preparatory Action on CSDP-related research is seen as a test mechanism for the proposed Defence Research Programme. The objectives of the Preparatory Action are to stimulate investment in defence Research and Technology, (R&T) across Europe and generate the collaborative Research and Technology that will be required to support future capabilities. A funding budget of €90m has been proposed for the period 2017-2020 with €25m of this already approved by the European Parliament for 2017. The call for proposals under the Preparatory Action is expected in early 2017 and my Department is liaising with Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in relation to opportunities for Irish companies in this call.

There is also ongoing communication with EI in relation to collaborative research opportunities that may arise for the Defence Forces with industry and research institutes. In July 2011, the Government approved arrangements whereby EI would support the Department of Defence and Defence Forces capability development through engagement with Irish-based enterprise and research institutes on the use and application of innovative civilian technologies in the military sphere.

The White Paper on Defence which was published in 2015, reaffirms the commitment to the Defence Enterprise Initiative.