Minister Martin welcomes publication of the Pre-Budget Outlook and Estimates for 2008.

Science and Technology Programme

Minister Martin said “The Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2007-2013 is an integral part of the National Development Plan and adopts a whole-of-Government approach to making Ireland renowned for the excellence of its research and innovation.

For 2008, investment in Science, Technology and Innovation programmes under my Department’s Vote will amount to over €289 million on an existing level of service basis. This funding will allow Ireland to continue to build its science base and ensure that we have the capacity to attract foreign direct investment and improve competitiveness through innovative products.”

Funding for Enterprise Development

Enterprise competitiveness will also be underpinned by supports from IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development and the City and County Enterprise Boards.

Minister Martin said “The supports provided to companies through the industrial development agencies will promote entrepreneurship, improve our export performance, attract foreign investment in high value-added manufacturing and services, and contribute to balanced regional development. The combined Exchequer allocations to these agencies in 2008 will amount to €343.881 million”.

The National Training Fund

The National Training Fund will provide €402.9 million in 2008 for the training and upskilling of the labour force. Funding will be directed at a range of activities, with a particular emphasis on upskilling people already in employment. Additional funding for this area is being provided to programmes operated by Skillnets and FAS.

FÁS

In total, FAS will receive over €1 billion in 2008. Minster Martin said, “FÁS has played a crucial role in addressing the labour market needs of the economy in varying economic circumstances over the last 20 years. It will continue to do this through the provision of an entensive range of training and employment programmes that suit the needs of individuals and of companies”.

Consumer Affairs

Funding for the National Consumer Agency has been increase by €2 million in the 2008 Pre-Budget Estimates, to €10.397 million, an increase of 24% on the 2007 allocation.

Minister Martin said, “The establishment of the National Consumer Agency on a statutory basis this year was a watershed in the drive to protect consumer rights. The increased allocation to the NCA for 2008 will allow the Agency to deliver on its mandate, particularly in areas such as consumer advocacy, research, information, enforcement, education and awareness”.

Employment Rights enforcement

Funding for the National Employment Rights Authority has also been increased, by just over €1 million (12%) for 2008, to €9.617 million, to take account of the recruitment of additional staff which has been on-going in 2007.

The Minister added, “I expect the Authority to be fully staffed by the end of 2007, with an ambitious business plan in place for 2008, focusing on the promotion and enforcement of employment rights.”

Supporting Partnership

An increase is provided in the Department’s 2008 Pre-Budget Estimate for the Workplace Innovation Fund. The Fund was introduced in 2006 to promote partnership in the workplace. The 2008 allocation for the Workplace Innovation Fund will be €2.750 million. This represents an increase of €1.8 million on 2007.

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