The Committee noted the important role that agencies such as the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) have to play in facilitating the development of cutting-edge science and technology capabilities in the country. The Committee therefore urged the Department to support these agencies to become fully operational and advance their mandates to the fullest extent. The Committee expressed its concern about the lengthy period of time it took to establish TIA.