To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he plans to take to maximise the take up in Northern Ireland of the upcoming calls under the EU (a) Competitiveness and Innovation Programme and (b) Cordis Framework Programme 7. (115269)

Invest Northern Ireland expects to build on its previous success through a successful application for funding from the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme to continue and extend current activities in the Innovation Relay Centre and European Information Centre.

Enhanced European integration and engagement with colleagues/potential partners through the British Isles (UK and Ireland) will maintain a trend of increasing returns from the 7^th Cordis Framework Programme.