James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total budget allocated by her Department under Innovation 2020 for scientists engaged in basic research in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6347/17]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The annual grants budget to Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) for 2017 is €162.5 million. The agency does not predetermine or “ring fence” specific funding allocation for basic or applied research.  Funding decisions are made through international peer review on the basis of research excellence and impact. However, an analysis published in SFI's Annual Report 2015 showed that 81% of the value of SFI's awards was at Technology Readiness Levels 1 and 2. This indicates that the vast bulk of SFI funding continues to be in support of “oriented basic” research.

SFI has identified a number of strategic focus areas for 2017 and will align funding programmes to meet objectives associated with Innovation 2020. These are outlined in its Annual Plan for 2017, which is available on its website.

Programme activity in 2017 will include support for individual members of the research community throughout all stages of their career. SFI will continue its goal of attracting and recruiting world leading talent through programmes including the SFI Research Professor Programme and the SFI Future Research Leaders Programme. It will also continue to build links between academia and industry through the funding of SFI Research Centres, SFI Partnership Programme and the SFI Industry Fellowship Programme. The Foundation will also continue to grow links through international partnerships and will support research teams in Ireland to lead and win major awards from Horizon 2020.