Vol. 446 No. 3
190 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment his views on a report in the International Journal Science to the effect that the low level of higher education grants to PhD students is contributing to a disproportionate amount of emigration amongst highly qualified science graduates and a brain drain to the economic loss of the country. [2002/94]
Under the Basic research awards scheme, Forbairt provides annual funding for PhDs in the science and engineering disciplines. A grant of £1,000 per annum for three years is provided to each graduate. At present, Forbairt is supporting 520 students, while a further 166 new students are being funded from October 1994.
In addition, the Programme in Advanced Technology (PATs) fund some 200 post graduate students in targeted research areas of specific interest to the PATs and their clients.
The issue of funding for PhD students in science and technology is being considered by the Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council which was established by my colleague the Minister for Commerce and Technology, Deputy Seamus Brennan, earlier this year. The council will report before the end of the year and my Department will, on receipt, examine the recommendations it makes in this regard.
