Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 5

Written Answers. - National Development Plan.

Derek McDowell

Question:

68 Mr. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the projects in the national development plan for which funding has been provided as part of the 2002 Abridged Estimates or announced in the Budget Statement; the level of funding provided; the nature of the works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32358/01]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The Abridged Estimates, AEV, for 2002 in respect of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment contain the following allocations in respect of the various operational programmes of the national development fund. It should be noted that the operational programmes refer to certain measures rather than specific projects.

Operational Programme	Amount in 2002AEV (in m)	Relevantsubhead	Measure
Productive Sector	69.1	D2	Indigenous industry (Enterprise Ireland)
	0.5	E2	Indigenous industry (Shannon Free Zone)
	87.4	C2	Foreign Direct Investment (IDA)
	4.5	E2	Foreign Direct Investment (Shannon Free Zone)
	58.0	F1	Science and Technology
	35.0	F2	Technology Foresight Fund
Regional (BMW-S&E)	35.5	G1	County Enterprise Development
Employment and Human Resource Development	5.6	D2	Human resource development in companies (Enterprise Ireland)
	683.9	K1-5, 7, 9, 10	Training (FÁS)

Regarding the assistance for the indigenous industry sector, the allocated funding will help Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development clients achieve success through a balanced development that builds strength across five key elements: strategy, marketing, finance, human resource development, and production and operations. The allocations will also provide for the development of the seed and venture capital market, the provision of intensive support to start-up companies under the business innovation centres, BICs, and provision of support to businesses at local level under the community enterprise scheme.

As regards foreign direct investment, FDI, the allocation consists of IDA Ireland capital grants towards such projects, these projects being spread throughout the country on a variety of both existing and new FDI projects. Grants from Shannon Development in respect of FDI refer exclusively to the Shannon Free Zone.

The productive sector operational programme also contains a range of measures for investment in research, technological development and innovation, RTDI. These measures have been included on the basis that there is clear evidence of the links between investment in RTDI and enhanced economic activity through increased competitiveness, company growth and new company start-ups. The expenditure involved will be used as a means of enhancing innovation and competitiveness, in order to increase output and employment. This will be achieved through focused support for in-company research and development, the networking of companies with the wider science and technology infrastructure, the better use of technology in balanced regional development and the preparation for the future technological opportunities through the establishment of Science Foundation Ireland.

The selection of projects by county enterprise boards, to be supported under the regional operational programme measure, will take place on an ongoing basis throughout the year, including the proportions to be allocated for enterprise supports and administration. The employment and human resources development operational programme covers most of the activities of FÁS and thus most of the lines within subhead K are related to the NDP. These cover: projects relating to training for the employed; projects relating to training for the unemployed; costs relating to the management and running of all projects in FÁS; costs of all community employment and job initiative programmes throughout the country; cost of capital expenditure for all areas within FÁS; cost of all local employment service offices throughout the country and related expenditure such as job clubs; cost of all social economy projects throughout the country; cost of certain initiatives related to persons with a disability. Human resource development in client companies of Enterprise Ireland is also covered by this OP.