GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES

In reply to Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (26 June 2012).

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Recreation and Sport): On Budget Paper 4, Volume 2, page 182, the 2012-13 grants and subsidies budget of $8.035 million consist of the following:

Premier's Science and Industry Fund ($4.460 million);

Education Investment Fund ($2.000 million);

Cooperative Research Centres ($0.700 million);

Investigator CSIRO SEC ($0.500 million);

Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund ($0.250 million);

Premier's Science Research Council ($50,000); and

Miscellaneous grants ($75,000).

The funds allocated to the majority of these programs are all committed for 2012-13.

Two of the programs, the Premier's Science and Industry Fund and the Investigator CSIRO SEC, are not as yet fully committed.

A total of $2.0 million from the Premier's Science and Industry Fund has been committed for 2012-13, leaving a remainder of approximately $2.4 million to be allocated. These funds will be allocated to additional SA Research Fellowships and several new programs currently being developed by the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology.

In 2012-13 $228,000 from the Investigator CSIRO SEC will support CSIRO Education to improve STEM engagement by school-aged children. The remaining funds will be other high-priority STEM related initiatives.