Vol. 443 No. 3
124 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the current level of funding to Eolas basic research post-graduate students; if he has satisfied himself that such funding is adequate; and the plans, if any, he has to increase grants to such students.
Under the basic research awards scheme, Forbairt provides annual funding in the science and engineering disciplines for some 200 Ph.Ds. A grant of £1,000 per annum for three years is provided to each graduate.
In addition, the programme in advanced technology — PATs — funds some 200 postgraduate students in targeted research areas of specific interset to the PATs and their clients.
Forbairt have requested the ESRI to carry out a study of the labour and career patterns of postgraduates 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.
