Emmet Stagg
Question:78 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on the estimates for her Department for 2004. [29901/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Estimates.
The Estimate for my Department for 2004 represents an overall increase of 3% over 2003. I am confident that this allocation clearly underlines the Government's commitment to continuing economic growth, maintaining the competitiveness of Irish industry, providing more high quality employment and ultimately to building a better and fairer society in the interests of all citizens.
My Department's overall Estimate clearly reflects the new and increasing emphasis on support for research and innovation, areas which are crucial to driving Ireland's future economic progress and fundamental to providing sustainable, high quality, well paid jobs in the longer term.
Overall spending on science and technology will increase by 36% over 2003 levels. The bulk of this will go to Science Foundation Ireland to fund its ambitious research programme while Enterprise Ireland will also see a significant increase in the moneys available to it to support innovation and research and development within indigenous industry. Funding to promote greater awareness of science, particularly among young people, is also being increased.
Exchequer funding for FÁS training and employment programmes will be augmented by an increased allocation of moneys from the national training fund. Overall the FÁS budget will increase by 2.7%. This level of investment means that the combined participation levels on community employment, jobs initiative and social economy programmes will be maintained at end 2003 levels and no further reductions in numbers are envisaged in 2004. Funding for FÁS training and integration programmes will increase by 3.8% in 2004.
My Department's Estimate also provides funding to facilitate the establishment on a statutory basis of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board which will be up and running early in 2004. Once fully operational, the PIAB will be funded on an ongoing basis by fees levied on respondents and it is the intention that exchequer funding will not be required beyond 2004.