Science funding target

Summary

Deputy Lawless asked whether Government was meeting its commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on research and development, especially during Science Week. The Taoiseach said the target was for the whole economy, not Government alone, and joked that Members should trust science rather than what is on labels.

Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I thank the Minister of State for his brevity.

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Micheál Martin Fianna Fáil

How is the swimming going?

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I will try to accommodate Deputies providing I get co-operation.

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James Lawless Fianna Fáil

The Taoiseach will be aware it is Science Week. I acknowledge that the Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, put on a cross-party event this morning and has more planned for during the week. I will return to a question I asked about funding this time last year at the start of Science Week. The Taoiseach will be aware that Horizon 2020 and the programme for Government committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on research and development funding. We are at about 1.6% or 1.7%, which is just over halfway there. When I asked the Taoiseach last year he answered me by saying there are many competing challenges such as housing, healthcare, transport and education, which I entirely acknowledge and agree with but which I do not see as being mutually exclusive. I will make that point. Spending on research and development can assist with our societal challenges if directed in the right way. We are not anywhere near 2.5%. That is our agreed target from Government. When will we hit that target? Where are we at in terms of meeting those commitments?

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I appreciate what the Deputy said. I understand that target is not just for the Government. It is 2.5% of GDP from the entire economy. It is not solely down to Government to provide all the funding for science and research. Industry has to play its part as well. I do not know what the figures are for 2019 but I am confident there has been an increase in Government spending in that area. The Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, is doing a very good job in that regard and he really has taken to the whole issue.

I beg the indulgence of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I fear I may have done a disservice to the food supplement industry. I should rephrase. Instead of saying very rarely, I should say many food supplements have no proven health benefits but some, of course, do.

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