Ireland’s Dublin-based Industrial Development Authority has decided to wind down the operations of its four-year-old National Software Centre, arguing that despite UKPIr1.8m of IDA funds, the Centre has failed to cover its costs. The decision, which came into effect at the end of last month, comes as a considerable blow to the Centre, set up by the IDA two years ago to assemble conformance testing suites – it was to have done some Posix testing – and help small companies sell software in larger markets. The IDA also believes that the Centre’s role is less vital, now that software giants Microsoft, Claris and Ashton-Tate have established Dublin subsidiaries. The 14-staff Software Centre, unwilling to relinquish the fruits of four years’ work, is now awaiting the verdict of the Department of Industry and Commerce, which is considering an initiative to strengthen links between the computing services industry and State Agencies. It was also hopeful of winning Esprit European funding for other projects.