asked the Taoiseach why the science budget was not published simultaneously with the Book of Estimates; and when it will be published.
Written Answers. - Science Budget Provision.
199.
The science budget is composed of two elements — details of the financial allocations finally approved in respect of each institution and a commentary by the National Board for Science and Technology on national policy for science and technology. In the case of the commentary, the indepth review on which it is based can only commence after the Government decisions on the Estimates are taken. It follows that the science budget cannot be produced at the same time as the Estimates volume and that some reasonable time must be permitted to elapse after the publication of the Estimates volume in order to ensure that a meaningful and worthwhile science budget document is produced.
It is hoped that this year's science budget will be published before the summer recess.