(Clare) asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the steps he proposes to take to provide an indigenous research and development sector in this country; and if he will consider a closer involvement by subsidiary Irish companies in the research, development and marketing programmes of their parent companies.
Written Answers. - R & D Capacity.
37.
The development of the R & D capacity of indigenous Irish enterprises is a key objective of the industrial policy as elaborated in the White Paper on Industrial Policy. Incentives available towards that end include:
— the R & D grants scheme operated by the IDA.
— a range of schemes operated by the National Board for Science and Technology to support the transfer of expertise from the higher education sector to Irish industry.
— assistance by the State research institutes, principally the IIRS and An Foras Talúntais.
Another stimulant to the development of an indigenous R & D capacity is provided through the participation by firms, by research institutions and by higher education establishments in the R & D programmes of the EC and other programmes of international organisations.
In the case of foreign companies establishing in Ireland, the IDA actively seek to have their key business functions, such as R & D and marketing, located here. There are some outstanding examples of success in this area. While there are practical difficulties involved as pointed out in the White Paper (Par. 8.5), the IDA is intensifying its efforts to secure the location here of such key functions.