Jobs Minister Richard Bruton and Minister of State for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock have announced a landmark investment by the Government in scientific research which is closely aligned to industry and enterprise needs, job opportunities and societal goals.

€200 million of Irish exchequer funding will be invested in seven world class research centres of scale. The new funding will be delivered through Science Foundation Ireland’s (SFI) Research Centres Programme coupled with over €100 million in cash and in-kind contributions from industry partners, making it the largest ever combined state/industry co-funding announcement of its kind in the research field in Ireland. The funding will be provided over the next six years with a mid-term review.

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To date 156 industry partners are connected to the centres, including Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Medtronic, GSK, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, BT, and Kerry Group.

Among the research activities funded are:

•World-leading research to take advantage of Ireland’s natural advantages in marine energies

•"Big Data", a sector currently growing at up to 40% per annum

•Advanced food research based around microbes which live in the gut

•World-leading research to take advantage of Ireland’s natural advantages in marine energies

•Research to develop screening and diagnostic tests for perinatal and neonatal conditions

Minister Bruton said: "Today's announcement will lead to the establishment in Ireland of world-class centres of research excellence and scale which will be game-changers for Irish scientific research.

"These investments…are aimed at advancing the reputation and performance of Ireland’s research system. This will support more than 800 talented scientists, develop cutting-edge research and new technologies, attract dynamic partnerships with industry and ultimately help to create the jobs we need.

(GK)