Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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153. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the FUSION programme of InterTradeIreland; the current and capital budget allocation for the programme in each year over the 2018 to 2020 period in tabular form; the number of participants in each year in the programme; and the maximum funding permitted to a successful applicant. [43998/19]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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FUSION is InterTradeIreland’s flagship technology transfer programme. It provides companies, which require assistance related to new products or process development, access to a three-way partnership that includes a third-level research institution with specialist expertise and a high-calibre science or technology graduate. Over 80% of FUSION graduates are offered jobs by their host companies and many of these continue to lead innovation projects in the business itself.

During 2018 the FUSION team processed more than 400 enquiries which resulted in the approval of 79 projects for support. A total of 59 graduate jobs have been created this year.

In 2018 companies that had previously completed FUSION projects reported a business value of £37.2m/€41.3m and a jobs impact of 409.

The budget and number of participants is given in the table.

The maximum funding provided to the participant (Company) is €33k for an 18 month project