asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the amount allocated to the IIRS; and if he considers it adequate.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Written Answers. - IIRS Allocation.
46.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the proposed grant-in-aid for the year 1975. As he will, perhaps, have noted from the recently published Book of Estimates the amount provided for the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards for that year is £2,860,000, which represents an increase of about 24½ per cent on the equivalent in fullyear terms of the grant for the nine months to December, 1974.
I would have been very glad if an even larger amount could have been made available to the institute, but having regard to other demands on the Exchequer this was the largest sum that could be provided. I am satisfied that, when supplemented by the institute's own earnings which should be substantial, it will enable the institute to maintain their valuable services to industry and others and at the same time to make good progress with their building programme.