Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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552.To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital and current funding allocated to the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training in 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [31597/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) is an independent research and training organisation funded by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland. NIBRT conducts R&D and provides highly specialised training and skills development to support the biologics sector in Ireland and globally. NIBRT is located in a purpose built, world-class facility on the campus of University College Dublin. This facility replicates a modern bioprocessing plant, with state-of-the-art equipment, and enables NIBRT to offer the highest quality training and research solutions.

A significant expansion to NIBRT’s Cell and Gene Therapies facility was launched in 2022 which included investment of €15 million in a 1,600 sq. m. building expansion and €3m in equipment, with further investment in research teams as well as additional trainers with Cell and Gene Therapy expertise to grow the Institute’s capability and Ireland’s Cell and Gene Therapy offering.

In 2023, the IDA Board approved funding to support the institute’s 5-year strategic plan 2024-2028, a key part of which is to grow NIBRT's global brand and deepen its research capabilities and enable the continued growth of the biologics sector. In this regard, NIBRT continues to be a key asset for Ireland in the attraction of significant new biologic manufacturing investments such as Eli Lilly in Limerick, BioMarin in Cork, Astellas in Tralee and BMS in Dublin. Furthermore, the allocated funding for 2024 will support capability development in advanced therapeutic areas including Cell and Gene Therapies, antibody drug conjugates and mRNA therapeutics. The funding will also support the continuity of skills development and research capabilities across both traditional protein and advanced therapeutic modalities to enable Ireland to continue to win new biologics manufacturing investments in the future.

The table below outlines the capital and current funding allocated to the NIBRT in 2023 and 2024.

*Estimated figure for 2024