Vol. 378 No. 7
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps, if any, he has taken or is taking to foster enterprise in Ireland; whether he is actively encouraging the promotion of education courses or educational modules in conjunction with the Minister for Education; and his policy in this general respect.
45.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement regarding his policy of support for enterprise and the encouragement of innovation; the steps he has taken in order to further developments in both areas; and whether he considers that an approach to the Minister for Education in order to have education for enterprise courses and modules placed on school and college curricula would be appropriate or desirable.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 45 together.
I consider that the optimum approach to the promotion of enterprise in this country is as set out in the Programme for National Recovery with its emphasis on (i) the creation of a climate conducive to economic growth, (ii) greater equity in the tax system, and (iii) practical measures to increase job opportunities.
Evidence of success in promoting enterprise can be seen in the cessation of the outflow of funds from the State and the 5 per cent increase in investment by manufacturing industry in 1987. Great potential for further success is ensured by the recent budget's move to place almost two-thirds of taxpayers on the standard rate of income tax, since nothing is more certain to promote enterprise than the prospect of being able to reap the rewards of one's efforts.
Specific measures to stimulate enterprise and innovation are the IDA's Enterprise Development Programme and the provision by the Government in 1987 of a special £2.7 million budget for science and technology which has subsequently been increased to £3.1 million. The former offers special categories of entrepreneurs with high potential in growth and exports the full range of State assistance in terms of employment, capital, management and research and development grants, in addition to loan guarantees on working capital.
The main components of the Science and Technology Development Programme are (i) the National Biotechnology Programme, (ii) Advanced Manufacturing Technology Programme, (iii) Teaching Companies Programmes, and (iv) National Programme for Technological Innovation.
The fostering of enterprise in educational curricula is most directly effected through the establishment of the NIHE's, whose purpose is to provide courses directly related to the industrial and commercial life of the country. This is reflected in (i) the composition of their governing bodies, (ii) the mechanisms which they have put in place to interact with business and industry and the State industrial promotional bodies in their areas, and (iii) the courses they provide and the general culture of the institutions.
I consider that education for enterprise courses or modules on school curricula is very desirable and we will be monitoring carefully work that is being done by Shannon Development in this regard. I have already discussed these matters with the Minister for Education.
