Irish experts challenge EU innovation mantra

EurActiv reports on an Irish report 'Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes'. July 2009. The Irish Government had established the Group to examine the current expenditure programmes in each Irish Government Department and to make recommendations for reducing public service numbers so as to ensure a return to sustainable public finances.

EurActiv suggest that the findings of the report makes uncomfortable reading for EU policymakers committed to promoting innovation in Europe's 'knowledge economy'. The report questions whether Ireland's investment in science, technology and innovation (STI) is really economically worthwhile and whether producing 20% more PhD students might be counterproductive.

However, in a separate EurActiv feature with Istvan Varga, Hungary's minister for national development and the economy, it is argued that it is very important to keep R&D and innovation spending high on the agenda at EU level.

EurActiv, 29.7.09: EU urged to keep innovation high on the agenda http://www.euractiv.com/en/innovation/eu-urged-keep-innovation-high-agenda/article-184510

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