Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 7

Written Answers. - STIAC Report.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

91 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the recommendations, if any, of the Science Technology Innovation Advisory Council (STIAC) Report which have been implemented; the schedule for the implementation of the remaining recommendations; the plans, if any, he has for the development of science and technology policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7311/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

Arising from the STIAC report the Government has allocated additional funding of £4 million in 1996 to begin the process of implementing its recommendations.

These funds will be disbursed through a variety of existing and new schemes operated by Forbairt and approved by the Minister for Commerce, Science and Technology, Mr. Pat Rabbitte TD.

The main features of the £4 million allocation include:

—A £700,000 boost to applied industry research in third level colleges;

—An increase of £700,000 in the allocation for the techstart scheme, for small firms taking on college graduates;

—An extra £500,000 for basic research and £200,000 for strategic research in 1996;

—Allocating an additional £300,000 for the development of technology service centres by the regional technical colleges;

—A doubling of the PhD student grant to £2,000 a year;

—The provision of £100,000 to fund five two-year post doctoral fellowships per annum;

—A further £200,000 for international research collaboration;

—£200,000 extra for company technology audits and £250,000 for company technology brokerage;

—£200,000 towards a new programme involving collaboration, in research among clusters of small firms;

—£250,000 to be spent on the promotion of science, technology and innovation to remove the generally negative public perception towards science and technology.

Action has also been taken on certain other recommendations as follows:

—Corporate taxation — a 400 per cent deduction for incremental R&D expenditure;

—Business expansion scheme extended to contract R&D performers;

—A national innovation conference was organised by Forfas in December 1995.

The STIAC report has been examined by a task force, overseen by a Cabinet sub-committee chaired by the Minister for Commerce, Science and Technology. On foot of this, the Minister for Commerce, Science and Technology is now preparing a public response to the STIAC report, for early consideration by Government prior to its publication.