Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1312. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has put in place any measures relating to the promotion of the use of public-public partnership agreements in the Irish research sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41381/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Horizon Europe – the new European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – aims to increase the EU’s research and innovation impact by combining European partnership co-investment with additional private and public sector funds in areas where the scope and scale of the research and innovation resources can help achieve the EU's Horizon Europe priorities notably, its Pillar II – Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness.

Horizon Europe will strengthen the EU’s scientific and technological bases in order to help tackle current and future global challenges and contribute to the green and digital transitions and the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, while aiming to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the same time, the Horizon Europe will boost the Union’s competitiveness, including that of its industry.

The EU Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation have always been an essential element in building Ireland’s research and development capability and international reach. Participation in the framework programmes is key to our ability to develop, attract and retain top quality researchers in Ireland’s academic institutions, SMEs and multinationals. The Programmes offer Irish researchers valuable opportunities to participate in high-calibre research collaborations with their European counterparts.

Involvement in European Partnerships offers collaborative opportunities for Ireland with researchers, organisations and public bodies internationally. Ireland has been involved in a number of European partnerships over the years.

Co-funded partnerships are partnerships involving EU countries, with research funders and other public authorities at the core of the consortium. Co-funded partnerships are analogous with public-public partnerships.

The European Commission has engaged with Member States regarding commitments on a number of co-funded partnerships listed below:

- European Partnership for Chemicals Risk Assessment

- European Partnership - ERA for Health

- European Partnership on Transforming Health and Care Systems

- European Partnership – Driving urban transitions to a sustainable future

- European Partnership for Clean Energy Transition

- European Partnership Rescuing Biodiversity to Safeguard Life on Earth

- European Partnership for Blue Oceans

- European Partnership Water Security for the Planet

- European Partnership for Innovative SME

My Department has coordinated with Government organisations which have been involved in the consultation process of co-funded partnerships. These include the Environmental Protection Agency, the Marine Institute, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the Health Research Board and the National Standards Authority of Ireland.

Ireland has a decentralised approach to European Partnerships. This means that it is up to the government bodies and organisations which are experts in their relevant fields to decide whether they will participate in any European Partnerships. As such, while the Department is supportive of the Partnerships proposal, promotion of Partnership opportunities to stakeholders and relevant actors will come from the organisations who are/intend on participating in them.