"Companies of all sizes urged to apply for R&D funding as a means to securing quality jobs, growing exports and increasing profits in an innovative economy".
Statement by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, TD
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, TD, has
today (24th January 2008) launched a revised and simplified Research and Development Grant Scheme which will make €500m available to companies across all sectors.
The new scheme will see job creation agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA
Ireland, invest more than €500m which will be used to support R&D and
continue to secure jobs in all parts of the country.
The funding will be made available over the remainder of the Government's
Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (2008-2013).
Announcing the Scheme Minister Martin said:
"This Government investment of over €500 million will ensure that Irish
companies remain at the cutting edge of research and development into the
future, and that we have an innovative economy which will continue
delivering jobs for our people."
"In line with Government policy to cut red tape for business the new grant
scheme will also be streamlined to make the application process as
straight-forward as possible for companies".
"Ireland has developed a reputation as being a top location for ground
breaking research. Company-to-company collaborations and partnerships
between our third level institutions and companies are at the core of this.
Projects already underway are researching how to combat disease, improve
communication technology and develop products of the future."
"This approach to producing high-quality R&D ensures that Ireland remains a
base for high tech quality jobs in the years ahead. I am delighted that our
new scheme encourages R&D collaboration between companies, particularly amongst small businesses."
"As we launch this scheme I would like to encourage companies of all sizes
and from all sectors to use this opportunity to check if they are geared up for the challenges of the future, and to examine if they can qualify for Government support for R&D projects."
"I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and congratulate both
Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland for the work they have put into this
scheme," concluded the Minister.
Click here for information on R&D Funding
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Grace FitzGerald
Communications & Media Relations Officer
Research Commercialisation & FP7
Enterprise Ireland
Glasnevin
Dublin 9
t: +353 1 8082746
m:+353 87 3286404
f: +353 1 8370172
email: grace.fitzgerald@enterprise-ireland.com
www.enterpriseireland.com