asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism the extent to which the IDA have been requested to support college based commercial enterprises marketing high technology.
180.
Written Answers. - Grants for College Projects.
179.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if any requests for support by college based enterprises from IDA have been refused.
181.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism the extent of IDA investment in jobs which are represented by existing college based IDA supported enterprises.
182.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism the grounds on which calls for IDA support by college based enterprises were refused and the agency responsible for the decision.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 to 182, inclusive, together.
In 1976, the IDA approved a grant of £25,000 towards the cost of training personnel in a college based enterprise. Last year, an application by the same enterprise for further grant assistance was made to the IDA but it was considered that the project in question would more appropriately be the concern of the National Board for Science and Technology. In the event the board undertook the funding of a particular microelectronics project costing approximately £30,000 which was carried out under contract by the enterprise for the board. Some 75 per cent of the fees for this project were paid in the year ended 31 December 1979.
No other applications by college based enterprises for grant assistance have been received by the IDA.