Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 5

Written Answers. - Research Funding.

John Bruton

Question:

55 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason she decided to cut the allocation of funds to the National Research Support Board in view of the fact that the NRSB and its programmes have been of pivotal importance in the way the national science, technology and innovations efforts have been managed in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12538/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Treacy)

I want to categorically state that there has not been a cut of any type in the allocation for research support through the National Research Support Fund Board. On the contrary, funding provided to this board has increased substantially each year since its establishment in 1995. The allocations for each of the years are as follows; £4.831 million in 1995; £7.548 million in 1996; £8.0 million in 1997 and a minimum of £8.799 million for 1998 is being provided.

Earlier this week, I announced an additional £0.5 million to enable the Higher Education Authority to fund new basic research projects in 1998 which have been evaluated, approved and recommended by the National Research Support Fund Board to the Higher Education Authority.

As Minister with responsibility for science and technology at the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Education and Science, I am extremely pleased with the increased allocations for science and technology which have been provided by our Government this year. I can confirm, from my appointment at both Departments, the excellent co-operation and collaboration between both of the Departments, the Office of Science and Technology, the Higher Education Authority and the third level institutions in delivering a properly funded innovative and transparent national science and technology programme to the country.