Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

374. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the European Commission’s country report for Ireland and the finding that public research and development intensity has declined since 2009 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11039/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Public expenditure on research and development (R&D) has been rising steadily since 2014. However, due to the fact that our GDP levels have been rising at a far greater rate (notably to 26% in 2015) the R&D intensity rate has shown an overall decline. While the level of R&D expenditure has been increasing, it has not been increasing in line with the fluctuating GDP levels.

Supporting research is a key pillar of Ireland’s enterprise policy given its role in driving productivity, competitiveness and thereby the creation and maintenance of jobs. Innovation 2020, Ireland's cross-governmental strategy for Research and Development, Science and Technology, commits all Government Departments to increase overall levels of investment in the area of research, year on year, to 2020. In line with this commitment, the Government's budget for research and development increased by 1.3% in 2015 over the previous year and is estimated to have increased again in 2016 by 3.2%.