Written Answers Nos. 86-96
86. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reconsider the application by a school (details supplied) in County Cork to have wheelchair access provided before the forthcoming academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21945/14]
View answerI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted a category 8 application under the 2014 Summer Works Scheme. The application relates to external works and disabled access.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced details of the schools that will receive Summer Works Scheme funding in 2014 in respect of applications submitted for Categories 1 to 6 i.e. Gas, Electrical, Mechanical, Toilet Facilities and Roof Works projects. In total, I have approved the spending of more than €70 million on the Summer Works Scheme to allow 772 schools undertake improvement works during the summer months.
Commensurate with the level of funding set aside for the Scheme, applications were assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the Circular accompanying the Scheme. Unfortunately, due to the scale of demand for funding under the Scheme, it was not possible to grant aid all applications.
However, I can confirm that disabled access works are considered on an on-going basis under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme and this was outlined in the circular governing the Summer Works Scheme. It is therefore open to the school in question to apply for disabled access works under the Emergency Works Scheme. Details of the Scheme, together with an application form for grant assistance, can be accessed on my Department's website at www.education.ie
87. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the requirement of a certificate of religious education for entry in to primary school teaching; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21966/14]
View answerA Certificate of Religious Education is not a requirement for entry to primary initial teacher education programmes. Some of the Colleges of Education offer an optional Certificate in Religion programme which is separate to the Bachelor of Education. The Certificate is required as a condition of employment in catholic schools and as an employment matter is not within my Department's remit.
The Teaching Council which is responsible for the maintenance of standards in teaching and registering teachers does not require a separate qualification in Religious Studies for registration as a primary school teacher.
88. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason no postgraduate maintenance grant is available to students undertaking a master's degree; his views on the difficulties this poses to those who become unemployed and wish to undertake a third level course up to masters level to reskill and improve their employment prospects; the other support available from his Department for such mature students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22009/14]
View answerIn the context of the necessary but difficult expenditure reduction measures announced in Budget 2012, new students entering postgraduate courses from the 2012/13 academic year onwards are not entitled to maintenance payments under the Student Grant Scheme. Those who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible to have their post-graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit of €6,270.
A postgraduate student may qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the costs of their fees. The income threshold for this payment is €31,500 for the 2014/15 academic year, increasing relative to the number of family dependents.
In addition, Springboard is a specific initiative that strategically targets funding of free part-time higher education courses to enable unemployed people to upskill or reskill in areas where there are identified labour market skills shortages or employment opportunities. The courses, which are at level 6 (higher certificate) to level 9 (master's degree) on the National Framework of Qualifications, are being delivered in public and private higher education providers around the country.
A call for proposals for courses to be run under Springboard 2014 was published in early February. Details of courses selected for funding and the eligibility criteria for participation will be available on the dedicated information and applications website www.springboardcourses.ie from June 2014Tax relief is also available on postgraduate tuition fees. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners. In addition to this, the Student Assistance Fund will continue to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need.I have no plans at present to change the current arrangements.
89. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén fáth nár ceadaíodh an dara rang naíonán sóisearach i nGaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, Sligeach, don bhliain scoile 2014-2015, ag cur aidhmeanna na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge i gcuntas; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [22012/14]
View answerIs féidir liom a dheimhniú go bhfuair mo Roinnse iarratas ón scoil dá dtagraíonn an Teachta ar chead leathnú ó scoil aonsrutha go scoil dhá shruth i.e. ó scoil 8 rangsheomra go scoil 16 rangsheomra. Mar is eol gan dabht don Teachta, is é an cuspóir atá leis an gcaiteachas caipitil ar an oideachas, thar ní ar bith eile, ná aghaidh a thabhairt ar an dúshlán déimeagrafach atá roimh an gcóras oideachais, sa mhéid go bhfuiltear ag súil le méadú de tuairim is 107,000 dalta breise ar an rollachán iomlán i mbunscoileanna agus iar-bhunscoileanna le chéile idir 2012 agus 2019 – breis is 70,000 ag an mbunleibhéal agus breis is 35,000 ag an iar-bhunleibhéal – agus go dtiocfaidh méadú ar an rollachán ag an iar-bhunleibhéal i gcónaí go dtí 2026 ar a laghad. Tá sé mar thosaíocht, dá bhrí sin, ag mo Roinnse a chinntiú go mbíonn ar chumas na scoileanna i gceantar, i bpáirt lena chéile, freastal ar gach dalta atá ag iarraidh ionaid. Níl ar chumas mo Roinne scoil amháin a fhorbairt áit a rachadh sé sin i gcion go díobhálach ar scoileanna eile sa cheantar.
I gcás Shligigh, tá sé réamheasta go mbeidh an líon foriomlán daltaí sna 13 scoil i scoilcheantar Shligigh, cobhsaí, a bheag nó a mhór, go dtí 2019, ach go dtiocfaidh laghdú ar an líon foriomlán daltaí a rollófar as sin amach. I gcás Ghaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, tá na rollacháin tar éis bheith cobhsaí, a bheag nó a mhór. Tháinig méadú 11 dalta orthu sa tréimhse ó 2008 anuas. Ó thaobh na cóiríochta scoile de, mar sin, tá dóthain cumais ar fáil sna scoileanna atá ann faoi láthair chun freastal ar an éileamh ar ionaid scoile. Ina leith sin, d'fhéadfadh 8 rangsheomra breise, a bheadh ag freastal ar suas le 224 dalta i gcás na scoile i gceist, dul i gcion go suntasach ar scoileanna eile sa scoilcheantar chéanna. Dá réir sin, táthar tar éis a chur in iúl don údarás scoile nach bhfuil ar chumas mo Roinne géilleadh d'iarratas na scoile maidir le rang breise de naíonáin shóisearacha i mí Mheán Fómhair 2014.
D'fhonn na treochtaí sa rollachán daltaí i gceantar Shligigh a mheasúnú a thuilleadh, áfach, beidh mo Roinn i dteagmháil arís leis na húdaráis scoile sna 13 bhunscoil i gceantar Shligigh maidir le sonraí faoin rollachán daltaí, eolas faoi réamh-rollacháin scoile don bhliain acadúil 2014/2015 san áireamh. Beidh na sonraí seo, nuair a bheas siad coimeádta agus athbhreithnithe, ina gcabhair bhreise ag mo Roinn chomh maith chun an t-éileamh foriomlán ar oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge a mheasúnú. Mar is eol don Teachta, táim tiomanta don Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010 – 2030 a chur i bhfeidhm, ós rud é go mbaineann na moltaí inti le sainchúram mo Roinne. Ina leith sin, tá mo Roinn tar éis freagairt ar an éileamh méadaitheach ar oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge. Ag an mbunleibhéal, tá mar fhianaise air sin an líon reatha Gaelscoileanna, i.e. 142 bhunscoil lán-Ghaelach a bunaíodh lasmuigh de cheantair Ghaeltachta.
90. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the decision to reduce the number of classroom teachers in a school (details supplied) from three teachers to two teachers; if this is not possible, the grounds on which an appeal can be successfully made to the independent appeals office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22044/14]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts for the 2014/2015 school year is set out in the Staffing Schedule (Circular 0007/2014) which is available on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the 30 September 2013. The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. The appeal criteria are published in Circular 0007/2014.The school referred to by the Deputy is a 3-teacher school. The enrolment of the school at 30 September, 2013 was 49 pupils which entitles the school to two classroom teachers for the coming school year. The school is projecting an enrolment of 49 pupils for 30 September, 2014.
The school submitted an appeal to the February, 2014 meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board under the small school criterion, seeking the retention of its third classroom post for the 2014/15 school year based on the projected enrolment of 49 pupils at 30 September, 2014.
A projected enrolment of at least 56 pupils at 30 September 2014 would be required for the school to remain as a 3-teacher school. Given that it projected just 49 pupils the appeal was deemed ineligible for consideration by the board on the basis that the grounds of the appeal did not meet with the appeal criteria. The Board of Management of the school has been notified of this decision. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final. If other pupils decide to enrol in the school and its projected enrolment in September 2014 increases to the required 56 pupils then it can submit a new appeal to the Appeals Board.
91. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of defibrillators that are located in Government offices and buildings under the remit of his Department and those under his aegis throughout the country; if these are available in emergency cases outside of office hours in the community in the locations where they are based; the number and cost of same; if he will consider putting some arrangement in place whereby these defibrillators can be located where the public can get access out of office hours in the interest of health and safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22377/14]
View answerThe Department has four Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in the three main offices, Dublin, Athlone and Tullamore. The total cost for the provision of these AEDs (including VAT) was approximately €12,000. Staff in each area have undergone training in the operation of the AEDs. It would not be feasible to allow access to the AEDs outside of office hours.The provision of AEDs in agencies under the aegis of the Department is an operational matter for the agencies and the information on the number of AEDs, if any, is not available centrally in my Department.
92. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of defibrillators that are located in Government offices and buildings under the remit of his Department and those under his aegis throughout the country; if these are available in emergency cases outside of office hours in the community in the locations where they are based; the number and cost of same; if he will consider putting some arrangement in place whereby these defibrillators can be located where the public can get access out of office hours in the interest of health and safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21883/14]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question there are eighteen defibrillators located in Government offices and buildings under the remit of my Department and those under my aegis, nine of which are in shared accommodation with the Department of Finance. The average cost is approximately €1,800 each. For health and safety reasons these defibrillators are only available to staff trained in their use. Because of training and security issues defibrillators are not available outside of office hours.
As the material requested was not available from the Office of Public Works at the time of answer the Office of Public Works will supply the required material directly to the Deputy.
93. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 7 May 2014, when he provides statistics in relation to the known awarded contracts, would he accept that the Government does not publish award notices for 80% of contracts, although it is obliged to do so; and the reason in view of the fact that the EU has acknowledged that the Government's policy to make large contracts and award them on price is a barrier to small and medium enterprise participation and therefore discriminating against Irish SMEs. [21884/14]
View answerUnder EU Directives on public procurement public works, supplies and service contracts above certain thresholds must be advertised on the Official Journal of the EU and awarded on the basis of objective and non-restrictive criteria. For works contracts the threshold is €5.186 million; for supplies and service contracts awarded by Government Departments the threshold is €134,000 and for the remainder of public bodies the threshold is €207,000. The threshold for supplies and service contracts of entities operating in utility sectors (water, energy, transport and postal) is €414,000.
I understand that approximately two thirds of tenders which are above these EU thresholds have contract award notices published for them. The reason for this level of publication is that of the remaining tenders some may never be awarded or the tender competition may be cancelled. In such cases there is no need to publish a contract award notice. It is the responsibility of individual contracting authorities to publish award notices following the signing of a contract. This process is facilitated through the national eProcurement portal www.etenders.gov.ie. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) is responsible for producing annual statistical information in relation to above-EU threshold procurement activity by the Irish public sector and for providing these statistics to the European Commission.
In relation to contracts valued below the EU thresholds, the general requirement is that they be advertised on the national public procurement website www.etenders.gov.ie or, depending on value, awarded on the basis of a competitive process of direct invitation to an adequate number of suitable suppliers. Contracting authorities are not obliged to publish the results of tender competitions, under these EU thresholds. However, guidelines recently issued by my Department (Circular 10/14) will require public bodies to publish all contract award notices over €25,000. This will come into effect later this year.
The Government is committed to maximising procurement opportunities which actively assist job growth and benefit the wider economy. The public sector has an immense purchasing power, spending in the region of €8.5 billion per annum on goods and services. This level of expenditure by the public sector affords significant business opportunities for firms that can supply the products and services that are required by public bodies.
The Government is aware of the concerns raised by SMEs in relation to the reforms of the procurement function. Broadly speaking the two main objectives of the reforms are to professionalise how procurement is conducted in the State and to ensure services are delivered in a sustainable manner. In relation to the latter, it is vital that any savings arising from procurement are achieved without damaging competition. Therefore the Government is committed to ensuring that SMEs are fully engaged with public sector procurement and the opportunities presenting.
My Department has also recently published guidance Circular 10/14 aimed at promoting SME participation in public procurement. These new guidelines are aimed at reducing the administrative burden on businesses that want to tender for public contracts. The guidelines promote the setting of relevant and proportionate financial capacity, turnover and insurance levels for tendering firms and the sub-dividing larger contracts into lots, where appropriate, to enable SMEs to bid for these opportunities. The guidelines also encourage SMEs to form consortia where they are not of sufficient scale to tender in their own right and to register on www.etenders.gov.ie to ensure maximum exposure to tendering opportunities.
In addition, the guidelines accelerate some of the key business-friendly initiatives included under the new EU Public Procurement Directive, currently being transposed by my Department. The SME Working Group, established under the Government's Action Plan for Jobs, was consulted on the new Guidelines. The SME Working Group is chaired by the Office of Government Procurement and includes representatives from ISME, IBEC, Inter Trade Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Competition Authority, the Small Firms Association, Chambers Ireland and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Ireland. The new Circular has been broadly welcomed by industry representative associations.
The reform of public procurement across the public service is on-going and will continue to provide opportunities to the SME sector to win business. The Office of Government Procurement will continue to work with industry to ensure that winning government business is done in a fair, transparent and accessible way and to ensure that government procurement policies are business friendly.
94. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total Independents' leaders' allowance claimed by each recipient during the Thirty-first Dáil to date; the amount of this that was vouched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21978/14]
View answerThe Parliamentary Activities Allowance (formerly known as the Party Leader's Allowance) is provided for under the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act 1938, amended most recently by the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices)(Amendment) Act 2014.
The legislation provides that each party leader and independent Member of the Dáíl or Seanad in receipt of the Parliamentary Activities Allowance must, each year, prepare a statement of expenditure in relation to amounts spent from the allowance, have this statement audited by an independent auditor, and furnish the statement and accompanying auditor's report to the Standards in Public Office Commission. Based on the statement provided, the Commission is required to make a report in relation to the use of the Parliamentary Activities Allowance and cause a copy of the report to be laid before the Oireachtas. The reporting requirements for Independent Members were introduced by me in this year's Act.
The Deputy should also note that I have also reduced the amount of the allowance payable to both party leaders and to Independent Members by 10%, which will amount in a saving of approximately €840,000 in a full calendar year. I have also provided additional powers to the Standards in Public Office Commission to provide guidance on the proper expenditure of the allowance, and to satisfy itself that the expenditure declared is in order.
As requested, the total amounts paid to each qualifying independent Member from 9 March 2011 to date are set out in Appendix A.
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (to date) |
Total |
|
|
Catherine Murphy |
€34,783.20 |
€41,151.96 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Finian McGrath |
€34,783.20 |
€41,151.96 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
John Halligan |
€34,783.20 |
€41,151.96 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Luke "Ming" Flanagan |
€34,783.20 |
€41,151.96 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Mattie McGrath |
€34,783.20 |
€41,151.96 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Maureen O Sullivan |
€34,783.20 |
€41,151.96 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Michael Healy Rae |
€34,783.20 |
€41,151.96 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Michael Lowry |
€34,783.20 |
€41,151.96 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Michael Wallace |
€0.00 |
€75,935.16 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Noel Grealish |
€34,783.20 |
€41,151.96 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Shane Ross |
€34,783.20 |
€41,151.96 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Seamus Healy |
€34,783.20 |
€41,151.96 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Stephen Donnelly |
€34,783.20 |
€41,151.96 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Thomas Pringle |
€34,783.20 |
€41,151.96 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Tom Fleming |
€34,293.30 |
€41,641.86 |
€41,151.96 |
€13,717.32 |
€130,804.44 |
|
Total |
€486,474.90 |
€652,552.50 |
€617,279.40 |
€205,759.80 |
€1,962,066.60 |
|
Ind Sens |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (to date) |
Total |
|
David Norris |
€15,913.41 |
€23,382.96 |
€23,382.96 |
€7,794.32 |
€70,473.65 |
|
Fergal Quinn |
€15,913.40 |
€23,382.96 |
€23,382.96 |
€7,794.32 |
€70,473.64 |
|
Ronan Mullen |
€15,913.40 |
€23,382.96 |
€23,382.96 |
€7,794.32 |
€70,473.64 |
|
John Crown |
€15,913.40 |
€18,388.64 |
€23,382.96 |
€7,794.32 |
€65,479.32 |
|
Sean Barrett |
€15,913.40 |
€23,382.96 |
€23,382.96 |
€7,794.32 |
€70,473.64 |
|
Martin McAleese |
€3,247.63 |
€23,382.96 |
€3,897.16 |
€0.00 |
€30,527.75 |
|
Fiach Mac Conghaill |
€14,394.35 |
€23,382.96 |
€23,382.96 |
€7,794.32 |
€68,954.59 |
|
Eamon Coghlan |
€14,394.35 |
€23,382.96 |
€23,382.96 |
€7,794.32 |
€68,954.59 |
|
Dr. Katherine Zappone |
€14,394.35 |
€23,382.96 |
€23,382.96 |
€7,794.32 |
€68,954.59 |
|
Mary Ann O Brien |
€14,394.35 |
€23,382.96 |
€23,382.96 |
€7,794.32 |
€68,954.59 |
|
Marie Louise O Donnell |
€14,394.35 |
€23,382.96 |
€23,382.96 |
€7,794.32 |
€68,954.59 |
|
Jillian Van Turnhaut |
€14,394.35 |
€23,382.96 |
€23,382.96 |
€7,794.32 |
€68,954.59 |
|
Total |
€169,180.75 |
€275,601.20 |
€261,109.72 |
€85,737.52 |
€791,629.19 |
95. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department has received and assessed the recommendations of the OECD Regional Development Working Paper 2013/20, The Case of Ireland - Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) - Regions and Innovation: Collaborating Across Borders; and the actions to be taken by his Department to implement the reports recommendations. [21904/14]
View answerI very much welcome the publication of the recent OECD report and I participated in an event to mark its launch, with my counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive, Ms. Arlene Foster MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, earlier this year, in Armagh.
This report looked at cross border innovation linkages across the island of Ireland and I am very pleased that it gave a very positive review of the key measures we have put in place to help drive Innovation on a cross border basis. It noted that InterTrade Ireland is a rare example internationally of a cross-border entity to promote trade and innovation, which is co-funded by respective Governments. I am very committed to the work of this cross-border body which we co fund, with our counterpart Department in Northern Ireland, and, despite the very challenging financial climate we have faced for the last few years, InterTrade Ireland’s innovative range of programmes for businesses on both sides of the border have been kept operational are very successful.
It is also very encouraging that the OECD highlighted as ‘noteworthy’ other initiatives which my Department supports, such as the shared programme between Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland in relation to the provision of Innovation Vouchers; the US - Ireland Research and Development Partnership Programme and the INTERREG Cross Border Programme, which has included the funding of some innovation-oriented projects.
I have asked my officials to consider the specific recommendations contained in this report and InterTrade Ireland is looking at relevant actions which that body could pursue. Some of these suggested actions involve administrative issues, which may not have resource implications; others may require financial support or, potentially involve political issues, which would necessitate in depth engagement between both administrations. One of the key recommendations proposes that InterTrade Ireland should be involved as a delivery partner for the next INTERREG Programme, we are already actively pursuing whether this could be achieved.
96. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland plan to highlight Kerry's new investment aid status from July 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22113/14]
View answerThe Regional Aid Guidelines enable the State to grant State Aid, at enhanced rates, to businesses in order to support new investment and new employment in productive projects in Ireland's most disadvantaged regions. This helps the convergence of these regions with the more advantaged regions of the Union. Regional aid is also provided under schemes for tourism grants, marine tourism, urban and rural renewal and other tax-based development schemes. All such aid come from the exchequer, i.e. there is no EU or other external funding.
The 2014-2020 Regional Aid Guidelines enter into force on 01 July 2014. As I announced on 25 April, areas accounting for 51.28% of Ireland’s population will be eligible for assistance under the Regional Aid Guidelines. This represents a substantial increase from the 25% originally proposed by the Commission, and an increase from the 50% under the 2007-2013 Map.
This means that the full range of Regional Aid assistance options will also now be available in Kerry. Kells and Arklow can be added to the areas designated under the current map, Athy has also been added to the upcoming 2014-2020 Regional Aid Map, with the exception of one Electoral District which was excluded from the designated map in order to ensure Ireland adhered to its overall allocated national coverage of 51.28% of population.
IDA Ireland welcomes the inclusion of Kerry in the new national regional aid map as this will enhance the prospects of attracting new investment and the expansion of existing enterprises both foreign and indigenous. IDA Ireland has always promoted Kerry as an investment location for appropriate investment as is evidenced by the number of companies located in the County. At the end of 2013 there were 12 IDA Ireland supported companies in Kerry with total employment of circa 1,600 people.
IDA Ireland continues to engage with these companies on an ongoing basis encouraging them to develop and embed their operations in the county.
Enterprise Ireland also welcomes these changes and will inform their clients in Kerry of the broad range of investment supports available to them, which will include the new state aid regional guidelines. This is part of their on-going working relationship with their clients. In addition to these funding supports Enterprise Ireland also works closely with the new Local Enterprise Office in Tralee, which will be formally launched tomorrow, 16 May, the Community Enterprise Centre Network and the Institute of Technology, Tralee in the delivery of a range of supports to start-up and established clients in the county.
It is important to note that all of the country, including those areas not entitled to Regional Aid, can qualify for other forms of State investment e.g. Research & Development Aid, SME Investment Aid, Training Aid, and Aid for Environmental protection etc.
