Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
896. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for a detailed breakdown of funding allocations for CERN in 2024, 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56843/25]
View answerIreland will officially join CERN as an Associate Member State on 22 October 2025. From this date Irish researchers, entrepreneurs, and educators will be able to access a broad range of opportunities at CERN.
Ireland's financial obligations to CERN as an Associate Member State will also come into effect on 22 October 2025. No payment is due to CERN before accession and fees for 2025 will be charged pro-rata on a quarterly basis. My Department agreed to pay the 2025 fee from within its existing envelope and to seek funding for future years under the National Development Plan. As a result, no formal allocation was made for CERN in 2024 or 2025.
The payment to CERN for 2025 is approximately €425,000 because Ireland is only paying pro-rata for one quarter. While we are awaiting confirmation from CERN of Ireland's fee for 2026, it is estimated at approximately €2.2 million. This cost will be met from my Department's allocations under the National Development Plan. This is the cost of one full year of Associate Membership.
I greatly look forward to what Ireland will achieve working with CERN in years to come.
