asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the grants available to Irish (Energy) students to pursue their studies elsewhere in Europe; the type of grants available from his Department to Irish Energy students; the number allocated in 1983 and 1984; the total cost of them for each year; the total contribution made by the EEC authorities for these grants; the purpose of these grants; the locations of the Institutions where Irish students are based or will be based; the type of degrees, diplomas and certificates available to Irish students as a result of these studies; the over-all benefits of these studies in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
519.
The only grants available from my Department are in the form of petroleum technology scholarships, which provide for one-year Master of Science courses in petroleum related technologies. Eighteen scholarships were awarded for the 1983-1984 academic year, in the fields of applied geophysics, ocean engineering, petroleum engineering, marine technology, petroleum seismology and petroleum geology. The National Board for Science and Technology, who administer the scholarship scheme on behalf of my Department, are at present processing the 1984-1985 applications. The scholarships are financed under my Department's Oil Scholarship Fund and there is no EEC subvention. The fund was established in 1976 from moneys secured from a number of the oil companies involved in the first offshore licensing round as part of their licence agreements. There is no cost to the State.
Total costs for the 1983-1984 academic year have not been finalised, but should come out at around £95,000. Six of the scholarships are tenable at University College, Galway, in applied geophysics, while the remaining scholarship holders will pursue their studies in other universities, such as University College, London, and the University of Strathclyde. These scholarships will help to build up a reservoir of Irish skill and expertise in this area, which it would be hoped to employ eventually in the overall national interest.