Brussels briefing

Ireland scores badly for research funding

Despite a massive push to increase the role of research in creating future jobs, Ireland came just 17th out of 25 EU countries in securing scientific funding last year.

The budget for research is due to increase to €80bn for the next six years from next year, in plans devised under Commissioner Máire Geoghegan- Quinn, pictured. Ireland has its eye on a substantial slice of this and Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly is hosting a conference in Brussels next March during the Irish EU presidency, that he hopes will make this a reality.