Over €1.8bn spent on R&D in Ireland in 2011, says BERD report

Trade

18 February 2013

The latest Business Expenditure on Research and Development (BERD) survey has been released, showing a significant increase in the amount of money invested in research and development by Irish companies.

Conducted every two years, the survey contained the final business research and development expenditure figures for 2011 and preliminary estimates for 2012. It is conducted jointly by the Central Statistics Office and Forfás.

According to BERD, a total of €1.9 billion was spent on on research and development activities across all sectors in 2011, an increase on the €1.83 billion spent in 2010. This is estimated to rise to almost €2 billion in 2012.

R&D activity levels in the number of firms performing significant R&D (greater than €2 million), showed a strong increase of almost 17%, rising to 154 significant R&D performers in 2011 from 132 in 2009.

Preliminary estimates for 2012 indicate that Irish companies had an R&D outlay of around €580 million, similar to that in 2010. Foreign-owned enterprises recorded an increase in R&D expenditure – from €1.2 billion in 2010 to €1.35 billion in 2011; this is expected to increase further to around €1.45 billion in 2012.

The number of businesses engaged in research also saw a significant increase in 2011. According to the survey, almost 1,600 enterprises engaged in research and development activities in Ireland in 2011, up 23% from the 1,300 recorded in 2009.

The number of research personnel engaged in R&D also rose by 20% from 15,800 in 2009 to 19,000 in 2011.

At the launch of the report, Minister for Research & Innovation Sean Sherlock said: "It is hugely encouraging that levels of investment by business in R&D are being maintained at such a high level in the current economic climate. The Government accords strategic investment in R&D as one of the building blocks for reinvigorating the economy. The continuing development of Ireland as a location for the performance of world class R&D is crucial, as this will allow businesses to build a competitive advantage that will result in jobs and growth."

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