Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 65: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage of research and development supports for indigenous enterprise that went to small and medium sized enterprises in 2008. [7322/09]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Research and Development Fund is a programme funded through the Vote of my Department and delivered by Enterprise Ireland to the indigenous Irish business sector. It was introduced in a revised simplified form at the beginning of 2008 to provide support for in-company research, development and technological innovation relevant at all stages of company development, and it enables companies to progress from an initial research project all the way to high level innovation and R&D activity.

In 2008, Enterprise Ireland approved funding from the Research and Development Fund for 99 companies — 92 of which were small or medium sized enterprises. The total expenditure of R&D funding was €63.3m, of which €59.5 million was provided to Small and Medium Enterprises. This means that 94% of the Research and Development Fund went to small and medium sized enterprises in 2008.

In addition to the Research and Development Fund, there are a number of other innovation supports in place, for which small and medium sized enterprises are eligible. During 2008 the following supports were provided to Small and Medium Enterprise—

Under the Innovation Vouchers Scheme, 588 small companies were awarded a total of €2.9 million to enable them to undertake work on a specific innovation issue

The Innovation Partnership programme provided funds totalling €5.7 million to 34 SMEs to undertake projects that had a total value of €8.34 million.

Enterprise Ireland Feasibility Support amounting to €252,400 was provided to 12 SMEs to engage in the EU Framework Seven Research Programme. Support under this programme has facilitated SMEs to benefit from €20.3 million in EU funding from Framework Programme Seven between January 2007 and October 2008

Enterprise Ireland provides funding under a Patent Support Programme under which 18 SMEs were approved for €443,500 funding in 2008.

The range and level of supports to SMEs have made a significant impact in terms of encouraging companies to undertake research, development and innovation. This, coupled with the fiscal supports available, in particular the increase in the R&D Tax Credit to 25% in the Budget, have been important supports to Irish small and medium sized enterprise sector and has helped them to maximise the potential for growth and competitiveness.