Vol. 477 No. 4
69 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education the level of funding to universities for research and research-related matters for each of the years from 1993 to 1997; if she has satisfied herself that the universities' research budgets are adequate; and the submissions, if any, she has received on this matter. [9424/97]
75 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Education the reason the research budget to the universities has recently been cut by 60 per cent at a time when the Higher Education Authority's CIRCA report underlined the urgent need for an increase in both the allocation for capital equipment for research and the baseline funding for research; the amount of the research budget allocation for each of the years from 1990 to date in 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9468/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 75 together.
Specific funding for research is not provided in my Department's current grant aid to third level colleges. However, it is estimated that about 10 per cent of the HEA's current grant to universities is used for research. In addition, funding from the Department of Enterprise and Employment for basic and strategic research increased from £1.5 million in 1994 to over £3.7 million in 1997. My Department and the Department of Enterprise and Employment have also introduced schemes of post-doctoral grants.
Under the National Development Plan 1994-1999 a dedicated 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.
This £10 million allocation for equipment has already been complemented by a further £2 million of Exchequer funds bringing the total allocation for equipment for the Higher Education Authority sector to £12 million, an average of £2 million per annum over the six year period of the plan. 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.
In the circumstances, no arbitrary cutback has been made in the capital provision for teaching and research equipment for the universities in respect of the period 1994-9. While some variations may occur in the annual capital equipment allocations to the Higher Education Authority by my Department is not envisaged that there will be any reduction in the level of equipment to be approved over this period.
