Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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209. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the public expenditure on research and development and as a percentage in each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10604/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Direct public expenditure on research, development and innovation is increasing and Government Budget Allocations on R&D (GBARD) amounted to €802m in 2019 (and an estimated €869.2m in 2020). This represents an increase of €83 million since 2016 and is the highest level of public expenditure on RDI since 2009. 

While we have not yet restored investments to 2008 levels, we have made much progress in recent years. Our challenge is to narrow the gap between Ireland and the EU Innovation Leader countries. My new Department will drive this agenda and will ensure research and innovation is at the centre of Ireland’s social and economic development. Agencies now under DFHERIS account for over half of this funding (€409.6m in 2019 or 50% and an estimated €461.0m in 2020 or 54%); channelled through SFI, the HEA and the IRC. 

Government Budget Allocations on Research and Development (GBARD):

Further details on the Government’s public expenditure on research and development are published each year in the Research and Development Budget reports. The publication is compiled from a comprehensive survey of thirty Government Departments and Agencies. The most recent report was published by DETE in January 2021 and is available here: .

Following a Government decision to transfer certain research and innovation functions, the Research and Development Budget survey will be undertaken by my Department from 2021 onwards.