Frances Fitzgerald
Question:106 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education her views on whether the research equipment budget to universities is adequate; and her policy, if any, in this area. [7800/97]
Written Answers. - Third Level Funding.
Under the National Development Plan 1994-99 an amount of £10 million is being provided for the replacement of research and teaching equipment in the universities. This provision is part of an overall £120 million capital investment programme designed primarily for the purpose of supporting the third level sector in areas of research and teaching related to economic growth and job creation. In addition a further £60 million capital investment programme comprising £30 million from the private sector with matching funds from the Exchequer was approved by Government in 1995 with a view to providing additional graduate and postgraduate places in the university sector.
To further enhance the effectiveness of the sector both in terms of meeting the recommendtions of the Science Technology and Innovation Advisory Council and the Steering Committee on the Future Development of Higher Education and in the awareness that there is need for further investment in capital resources for research my Department is at present considering introducing a number of further initiatives that will contribute to the funding of new equipment for the sector.