Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
143 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the number of agencies under his remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement payments broken down by agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48253/09]
View answerNone of the agencies under the remit of my Department process entitlement payments.
144 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the number of agencies under his remit that have a role in carrying out inspections; the number of staff involved in the carrying out of inspections broken down by agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48270/09]
View answerNone of the agencies under the remit of my Department carry out inspections.
145 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the number of agencies under his remit that have a role in the issuing of licences; the number of staff involved in the issuing of licences broken down by agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48287/09]
View answerNone of the agencies under the remit of my Department have a role in issuing licences.
146 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the agencies under his remit who have a role in the collection of payments; the number of staff involved in the collection of payments broken down by agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48304/09]
View answerNone of the agencies under the remit of my Department have a role in the collection of payments.
150 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Taoiseach the progress made in establishing the innovation fund Ireland as proposed in Building Ireland’s Smart Economy; the total outlays from this fund to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47884/09]
View answerIntroduction of ‘Innovation Fund Ireland' is a commitment of Building Ireland’s Smart Economy — A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewaland the Renewed Programme for Government. It aims to ensure greater availability of venture capital to help achieve our vision for transforming Ireland into the innovation and commercialisation hub of Europe by supporting innovative SMEs and help scale indigenous companies. It is also an objective to use the Fund to help attract leading Venture Capital companies to locate their European operations here.
Since the fund was announced the relevant Departments and Agencies have been working to design a detailed structure for establishing the Fund, which raises a number of complex issues which need to be resolved.
In particular, we want to ensure the design and operation of the Fund best reflects inputs from people with experience of venture capital markets, including the members of the Innovation Taskforce.
As agreed in the recent programme for Government, market testing is underway to engage with potential participants amongst US and other relevant Venture Capital companies as well as other Stakeholders. This process which should be completed towards the end of this month will provide the basis for putting the most suitable legal and financial structures in place to operationalise the Fund.
It is important to recognise that the Innovation Fund is just one aspect of the overall strategy to increase a world class innovation system, so it is important that it is brought forward as part of a coherent approach. For example, it will complement the existing seed and venture funds operated by Enterprise Ireland as well as the forthcoming Report of the Innovation Taskforce.
