merrion street

Irish researchers, businesses and educational institutions have received a total of €300million since 2007 under the EU’s €55billion FP7 fund, and are expected to draw down at least the same figure again before fund ends in 2013, according to Minister Richard Bruton and EU Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn. A total of €18billion is available across the EU under the fund between 2011 and 2013.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science were today (Friday 24^th June 2011) holding an event to highlight opportunities for Irish researchers, businesses and educational institutions under the EU programme. The event brought together representatives from Ireland’s business, research and educational community.

Minister Bruton commented:

"I have consistently said that if we are to get out of this crisis and create the growth and jobs we so badly need, we must focus on three things: reducing business costs, improving access to finance and encouraging R&D and innovation. This €55billion EU fund is a fantastic resource for people and organisations involved in R&D across the continent, and I am delighted to see that we in Ireland have taken full advantage by drawing down €300million since 2007.

"We have achieved a substantial improvement in our R&D performance in recent years and the FP7 funds played an important role in that. However there is no room for complacency, we must be ambitious about what we can achieve in this area, and I would strongly encourage people to ensure that we take full advantage of these funds. I am determined to ensure ambitious government policies are in place to ensure that we can continue to improve our R&D performance and get people back to work".

Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn added: "Upcoming FP7 calls in July 2011 and July 2012, will be worth approximated €18 billion, with some 15% earmarked for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The breadth of sectors covered by FP7 includes agriculture, fishing, food, bio-technology, nano-technology, climate change, environmental services, transport, health, energy, information communication and technology, new materials, security and space. Ireland's continued strong participation will contribute to transforming the EU into an Innovation Union by 2020. We need to properly use new research that we develop so that we can create novel goods and services that the people will use, improve our quality of life and build a better society both in Ireland and in a European context."