Vol. 441 No. 6
101 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the proposals, if any, he has in relation to supporting post-graduate students in research and development projects in the sciences in universities and higher institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under the basic research awards scheme and the applied scholars scheme, Forbairt provides annual funding in the science and engineering disciplines for some 200 Ph.D and 70 M.Sc places respectively.
In addition, the Programmes in Advanced Technology (PAT's) fund some 200 post graduate students in targeted research areas of specific interest to the PAT's and their clients.
Forbairt have requested the ESRI to carry out a study of the labour and career patterns of post graduates in this area and the Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (STIAC) may also be expected to make recommendations which I will examine on receipt.
