“Bright Horizon for SMEs under new EU Programme” – Chris MacManus MEP

Sinn Féin MEP backs increased funding for Irish SMEs

Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has said a new €100bn EU science and research programme could yield big benefits for Irish SMEs. The Midlands Northwest MEP has said the Horizon Europe Programme will allow important research and innovation work to be carried out across Europe.

Speaking about the new programme MacManus said:

“In this week’s vote I was happy to support the €100bn Horizon Europe Programme which will help fund research and innovation in the coming years. I am particularly happy that the programme will have a focus on the SME sector. I think this will be hugely beneficial to many Irish businesses.”

MacManus believes Irish businesses will see increased funding, “In the last term of this Programme Ireland received €1.1bn. With the increased Budget for this term, I hope that this amount can be increased, and that SMEs across Ireland will benefit. We in Sinn Féin will be doing everything in our power to make sure that that is the case. It hasn’t been an easy year for Irish businesses and this programme will very welcome for many SMEs attempting to engage in new research and innovation.

The Midlands Northwest MEP also praised the allocation of funding for climate related research. “I was happy see that at least 35% of Horizon Europe budget shall go to climate-related research and we’re also going to see increased supports for social sciences and humanities. These are areas where Irish SMEs have often excelled but haven’t always received adequate funding so I think these sectors are hugely deserving of this further assistance.”

MacManus concluded, “SMEs are the life blood of so many communities across Ireland, I think finally we’re seeing their importance being properly acknowledged through these funding measures in the Horizon Europe Programme.” ENDS