asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the urgency of upgrading the technology capacity of Irish industry, he will state (a) the number of technology transfer agreements completed in 1985 with foreign companies; (b) of these, the number which were joint ventures; and (c) the number of applications to date for the new technology acquisition grants under the Industrial Development Act.

I am informed that the industrial development agencies under the aegis of my Department arranged for the conclusion with overseas companies of 52 technology transfer agreements in 1985, of which 28 were joint ventures. The Industrial Development Act, 1986, enacted on 7 May contains provision for a new technology acquisition grants scheme to assist companies to develop their technological capability. As the proposed scheme represents a change to our regime of State aids, the approval of the Commission of the European Communities will be required prior to its implementation. The relevant notification has been sent to the Commission. In the meantime a number of companies have expressed interest in availing of the new technology acquisition grants and they are in discussion with the industrial development agencies on this subject.