Advanced Manufacturing and Biotechnology Centres
Yates asked whether the Government would help fund NBST’s proposed advanced manufacturing and biotechnology infrastructure with the private sector. McCarthy outlined designated centres of excellence in both fields.
I understand the Minister's rhetoric on this issue but is he aware of the proposal submitted by the NBST to the Government for the setting up of an infrastructure for advanced manufacturing technology and bio-technology? Has he any proposals to finance that operation jointly with the private sector as a tangible commitment to research and development?
Comment on this
Since this Government came into office, the Office of Science and Technology decided to designate three centres of excellence in bio-technology and four centres where advanced manufacturing technology will take place. The three centres of excellence in bio-technology are the NIHE, Dublin, where there is to be a national centre for cell and tissue culture, UCC where there will be a national food bio-technology centre, and UCG which will have a national diagnostic centre. Regarding advanced manufacturing technology centres, there will be one in Trinity College, Dublin, one in UCD, one in NIHE, Limerick, and one in UCG. Enormous progress is being made.