asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the impact on the work done by the Economic and Social Research Institute, of 11 per cent cut in real terms of its financial allocation for 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - ESRI Allocation.
50.
The Economic and Social Research Institute is a private company whose activities are partly funded by a grant-in-aid allocation from the Exchequer. The 1988 grant-in-aid allocation to the institute is £1,120,000, a decrease of £100,000 on the comparable 1987 figure. The reduction in the allocation is necessary as part of the Government's policy of curbing expenditure for budgetary reasons. The institute has advised my Department that the necessary financial adjustments are being made to accommodate this provision. As an independent institution, operational decisions are matters for the council of the institute.