Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)

I have similar concerns about this. Obviously, research and development is important. It needs to be supported but I have serious concerns about the imbalance in terms of the take-up of this. When you look at productivity more broadly, there is a big gap between smaller enterprises and the strength and productivity in the multinational sector. You will see that reflected in the uptake of this.

By their nature, smaller enterprises may find it harder to engage in research and development but that is probably all the more reason they need to be supported more in the area. Has how they can be better supported and how supports can be more targeted in this area been looked at?

I read a recent interview with one of the Minister's colleagues, the Minister, Deputy Burke, and he was saying he was conscious of these issues in visiting small businesses and seeing many of them still dealing in paper when they should be using more modern forms of technology and innovation. He had that worry as a Minister for many of the businesses that he is meeting of where will they be in five or ten years' time although they may be getting by now. It is harder for small businesses to engage in the kind of research and development that this tax credit specifically supports and that is a challenge for them. Is this being looked at? Is it being considered?

As a country, we compare badly to many of our peers in terms of public research and development, for example, through universities and direct grants. There has been a lot of reliance on the tax credit. Are those measures being looked at as well? Have they been looked at in the review? When will we see the review and can the Minister give us some insight into that?