Vol. 490 No. 7
220 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the consultations, if any, that occur between his Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in deciding research priorities from their respective budgets; and if new funds being allocated by his Department are additional rather than a replacement for activities elsewhere and decided upon in a coherent way which takes into account the views of researchers and industry. [10988/98]
239 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will introduce a national base line support mechanism for postgraduate students as recommended by the Irish Research Scientists' Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11140/98]
246 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the recommendation of an organisation (details attached) suggesting that a significant portion of the new research fund be used to provide an adequate and reasonable postgraduate stipend for research students qualifying for the scheme operated by Forbairt; whether he has assessed the merit of the organisation's submission; if he will, as an interim measure, ensure that the practice in some colleges of withholding a portion of the £2,000 postgraduate stipend for their own ends will be stopped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11215/98]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 220, 239 and 246 together.
In 1998, for the first time the Government has provided substantial dedicated funding for the funding of research and development through the Department of Education and Science. The new allocation of £5 million has been included in the 1998 Estimates for the Department of Education and Science for recurrent funding of research and development projects. This allocation is additional to previous research and development allocations and does not imply any reduction in existing expenditure. It is envisaged that the funding will be available for research and development in the humanities, the social sciences, and science and technology.
The Higher Education Authority is being consulted about the administration of this funding. It has been asked to develop proposals and mechanisms for expenditure of this research and development provision on the basis of making funding available to universities and institutes of technology through a competitive process. The Higher Education Authority has consulted widely in its consideration of the issues and has, inter alia, considered the views of the Irish Research Scientists' Association.
Taking account of the advice of the Higher Education Authority, it is my intention that decisions will shortly be made relating to mechanisms for the expenditure of the additional £5 million allocation. These decisions will also have regard to the views of the Irish Research Scientists' Association and to the needs of industry.
