Vol. 427 No. 8
197 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the amount of money set aside in 1993 for energy research; the way in which this compares with the rate in other EC countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
While my Department does not directly get involved in the area of R & D, other institutions mainly in the Educational and Industrial fields avail of EC funding under the EC Framework Programme (1990-1994). One of the specific programmes that qualify for EC research funds under this heading is in the area of Non-Nuclear Energies (Joule Programme).
On the basis of decisions taken to date relating to the current Joule Programme Ireland can expect to secure funding for projects to an estimated value of 4 million ECUs.
The most recent inventory of expenditure on energy research and development compiled by EOLAS — the Irish Science and Technology Agency, was in 1990 when a sum of £3.7 million was spent by the State, EC and industry.
