Noel Treacy
Question:
293
Mr. N. Treacy
asked the
Minister for Education
the reason she requested the Higher Education Authority to arbitrarily cut the research equipment budget to the national universities by 60 per cent; if her attention has been drawn to the profound consequences this will have on the training of graduates, researchers, technologists, engineers and other technically qualified professionals; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that there is already a shortage of skilled people in many key areas such as computer software and electronics and developing shortages in other areas such as pharmaceuticals; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that access to modern research equipment is one of the key elements in maintaining our national skills pools; if she will direct the Higher Education Authority to rescind its recent decision, particularly in view of the fact that its own CIRCA report on the management of research in Irish Universities outlines the urgent need for an increase in both the allocation of capital equipment for research and baseline funding for research; if so, the date on which this will be done; the extra money, if any, to be made available in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8329/97]