Vol. 492 No. 1
44 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received a submission from the Irish Research Scientists Association illustrating the true costs of undertaking postgraduate study; if she can corroborate its findings; if she has satisfied herself that the £2,000 stipend is sufficient to meet these costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13535/98]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to a document entitled A New Research Fund and the Support of Postgraduate Researchers in Ireland, a paper presented to me during the course of one of my meetings with the Irish Research Scientists Association. As Minister with responsibility for Science and Technology, I receive many such submissions from the research community and other interested groups, all of which are considered in the context of policy formulation.
I assume the £2,000 figure mentioned by the Deputy refers to the annual grant paid to PhD students under the graduate support scheme, which is overseen by the National Research Support Fund Board. This scheme funds 160 new PhD students per annum for three years. An informal review of this scheme was carried out last year by the National Research Support Fund Board. I understand the recommendations of the review were discussed by the board and I can confirm that it did not result in any recommendation to me for increased funding. This points to an appreciation that this level of funding is clearly understood to be a contribution, never intended to meet the full costs involved.
45 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the National Research Support Fund Board has conducted a competition for individual led basic research which attracted over 300 applicants and that the funding for this programme is now under threat. [13537/98]
I am well aware of the competition to which the Deputy refers, which relates to the basic research grant schemes, overseen by the National Research Support Fund Board. I have already informed the House on a number of occasions in the recent past that funding for this programme has been at a level of £2 million for the last three years.
I have also pointed out in a recent reply that this level of funding for 1998 was sufficient just to meet commitments entered into in previous years on the basis of projects approved previously by the National Research Support Fund Board. I informed the House on 28 May last that, in an effort to address the issue of funding new basic research projects, £0.5 million would be provided through the Higher Education Authority for projects evaluated and approved by the National Research Support Fund Board.
