asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he intends to implement in full the recent Sertec plan for the south east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Implementation of Interim Development Plan.
10.
The plan in question is an interim development plan for all of the south east region. It is a central feature of the work of the team set up to manage the pilot programme which I launched in July 1987 for the development of science and technology within the region. The plan is also being prepared in anticipation of the approval by the European Commission of its projected new programme for the development of science and technology at regional level. This programme is to be known as "STRIDE". In its present form the plan proposes an integrated strategy for technological development in the region, and outlines a number of projects.
Copies of the interim plan have been circulated for consideration and comments to all local authorities, to chambers of commerce and to other interest groups in the region. When the views of all those consulted are available, and any further necessary research has been undertaken I expect to receive the plan in final form.
It would thus be premature at this stage to discuss the implementation in full of this plan. As the Deputy may be aware, a number of the projects referred to in it are already at various stages of development and are being funded through my Department.
Successful implementation of the more ambitious projects proposed in the plan would depend on adequate funding for them being forthcoming under the "STRIDE" programme when approved.
Would the Minister not agree that all the interested bodies in the south east have made umpteen submissions and that the result of most of this information is contained in the interim plan? The south east has been designated for the pilot technology programme. One of the main features of the recommendations of the plan is for the upgrading of regional colleges to at least NIHE or technological university level. Does the Minister agree that this is a central pillar of the plan, but that if that does not turn out to be the case the possibilities of other things happening are limited? What recommendations is the Minister making to Government on that specific issue?
As the Deputy is aware, we thought it appropriate that local authorities and chambers of commerce and other interest groups would have an input into the final plan which would then be put for my consideration. The plan has not yet been submitted to me in final form. I hope to have the report in its final form by the end of February 1989. As the Deputy is aware there are many exciting projects being proposed within the plan, which is now being considered by the local authorities, including the one referred to by the Deputy. When the plan is submitted to me in its final form, we will then consider the implementation of it.
I would like to know what is happening to the plan at present? Second, the Minister has failed to answer my question with regard to upgrading regional technical colleges to NIHE or technological university level. What is the position with regard to the decentralisation of the Department to the south east and to Waterford specifically which has been promised for so long? Is it not the position that it has been postponed again though decentralisation is going ahead in far smaller regions? Would the Minister outline what he is doing to have his end of the plan implemented?
I will deal with the second part of Deputy Cullen's question first. If the Deputy had put down an appropriate question with regard to decentralisation to the appropriate Minister, I have no doubt it would have been answered. Since he has not done so I have no intention of answering. If he puts down a question, I have no doubt it will be answered. A number of very exciting programmes are already underway which will be continued. We have appointed industrial liaison officers in the regional colleges at Waterford and Carlow. Since they took up their positions a number of co-operative agreements between the colleges and local authorities have been signed. Technology audits are currently in hand in several firms in the region and to date some ten firms in the region have been subsidised by the Sertec programme to have technology audits carried out. We have a business information technology centre located in Carlow Regional Technical College and this is designed to serve both as an incubation centre and as a focus for information and other services for small firms and start-ups. These projects have already been placed there. We have a strawberry demonstration project which involved mechanising an existing technique for growing strawberries and the machine is based at the Teagasc Clonroche station in County Wexford. It is being used on the farms of local growers for demonstration purposes and thereafter it will be a commercial service available to strawberry growers in the locality. We have a newsletter called Sertec Update which will be published every two months and——
This is not relevant.
The Deputy should not intervene in such a discourteous, if not disorderly, fashion.
Deputy Cullen does not seem to like being informed as to what is actually happening.
I have asked about the two planks of the programme.
Within the programme, which has not been placed before me in its finalised form, a number of very exciting projects have been advocated. They are being considered by the local authorities and the chambers of commerce. When they and the various other interest groups have finalised their views, I will consider the matter. Deputy Cullen referred to the regional college, which is obviously under the aegis of the Minister for Education, but we will give it consideration if it is in the final plan.
Is there some question on the Order Paper which the Minister does not want to reach?
I appreciate the reply from the Minister, Deputy Reynolds, in regard to Carrick-on-Suir. Will the Minister of State assure me that in the new programme he is setting up Carrick-on-Suir will not be forgotten? I have not heard it mentioned in this regard to date.
With the greatest respect to my colleague, Deputy Davern, I assure him that Carrick-on-Suir will get priority treatment within the plan. I can also assure him that Cashel will get priority treatment.
(Interruptions.)
I did not specifically request information about Cashel, but I did ask specifically about Carrick-on-Suir.
It would seem that a leather industry is specifically mentioned in the Sertec plan. Is that what the Minister, Deputy Reynolds, was referring to earlier? Is there potential for a leather industry?
The Deputy is raising the matter of a particular industry.
It is in the plan. The question is there to be answered.
Can we take Question No. 12?
No specifics at all.