Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2023
47. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding allocated for the agile innovation fund under the Supplementary Estimate for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9120/23]
View answer58. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding allocated for the Career Fit Plus programme under the Supplementary Estimate for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9134/23]
View answer59. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will specify the breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations of €158 million under the Supplementary Estimate for 2023 to support Enterprise Ireland's research and development and commercialisation activities in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9136/23]
View answer60. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding allocated for the technologies getaways programme and technology transfer strengthening initiative under the Supplementary Estimate for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9137/23]
View answer62. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding allocated for the Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs initiative under the Supplementary Estimate for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9139/23]
View answer63. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding allocated for the ERDF-approved innovation initiatives, including immersive needs led, kt boost and the technological universities collaboration programmes, under the Supplementary Estimate for 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9140/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 58 to 60, inclusive, 62 and 63 together.
The Government’s Supplementary Estimates set out the net need for additional funds for a Vote above the level approved in the Revised Estimates for Public Services for that year. As the Supplementary Estimates process takes place later in 2023, I can only provide you with details on the funding allocated under the Vote for my Department for 2023, in respect of the programmes you have specifically mentioned.
For 2023 the Science, Technology and Development programme has been allocated just over €158.1 million. Of this €6 million is current funding for the central resource in Enterprise Ireland to manage and facilitate its RD&I activities.
The €152.1 million capital funding will go towards funding the suite of RDI programmes such as in-company R&D Grants, funding for collaboration between industry and Research Performing Organisations and commercialisation of research. This total funding includes Career FIT PLUS, Technology Transfer Strengthening Initiative (TTSI), Technology Gateways, Agile Innovation, European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) and 3 enterprise innovation projects funded under the ERDF.
The projected spend on Career FIT PLUS for 2023 budget of €2.8m is to meet commitments carried forward from previous years approvals under Career FIT and Career FIT PLUS.
The projected spend of €2.8m on the TTSI is for commitments carried forward from previous years approvals. A new iteration of this programme, KT Boost, co-funded through the ERDF, will follow.
Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateways works in partnership with Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities across Ireland. Consisting of 16 specialised Gateways and 3 sectoral clusters, the Technology Gateway Network delivers innovation expertise and solutions for Irish industry. In 2023, €6.1M is expected to be invested in this programme before the ERDF iteration is launched in Q2.
The Agile Innovation Fund supports the development of new or substantially improved products, services or processes for Irish companies. Agile Innovation projects may range from solving technical challenges to innovations in services delivery or business models. In keeping with the spirit of agility it features a streamlined online application form with fast track approval. It is expected that approx. €2.6m will be allocated to Agile Innovation Projects in 2023.
The Budget 2023 allocation for the EDIHs will, along with the contribution from the EU under the DIGITAL programme, fully fund all four Irish EDIHs for the year. It will enable all the hubs to provide low and no cost digitalisation advice and services to businesses throughout the country. The full year costs of the programme are €6m. The EDIHs are being funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Fund.
The budget allocation for 2023 also includes €15.656m for the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Projects - KT (Knowledge Transfer) Boost Initiative, the new Technology Gateways Programme and the Innovators Initiative. The three programmes will drive collaboration with our Higher Education Institutes, increase commercialisation and promote the formation of HPSUs.
The table below provide a further breakdown on the programmes specified.
|
Budget Allocations 2023 for the B4Science, Technology and Development Programme |
|
|
Current |
€6.03m |
|
Capital |
€152.08m |
|
Total |
€158.109m |
|
Breakdown for 2023 includes capital funding for: |
|
|
Career FIT PLUS |
€2.8m |
|
Technology Transfer Strengthening Initiative |
€2.8m |
|
Agile Innovation Fund |
€2.6m |
|
Technology Gateways (old programme outside of ERDF) |
€6.1m |
|
ERDF Funded Programmes (total €15.656m for 2023) |
|
|
KT Boost Initiative |
€7.43m |
|
New Technology Gateways |
€5.65m |
|
Innovators Initiative |
€2.57m |
|
European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs - RRF funding) |
€6m |
