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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - Basic Research Grants Scheme.

Nora Owen

Question:

112 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work programme of the newly established science and technology groups and the relationship between these groups and the inter departmental science and technology committee. [16260/98]

Nora Owen

Question:

119 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress, if any, made in relation to the basic science competition for 1998; if a similar competition will be held in 1999; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16268/98]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 119 together.

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the basic research grants scheme which is funded under Measure 4 of the Research and development sub-programme of the Operational Programme for Industry and which is overseen by the National Research Support Fund Board.

I understand that at its meeting last week, the National Research Support Fund Board approved 91 new projects, with a total value of £4 million. This year's financial commitments for these projects will be met through the Higher Education Authority, £0.5 million, and through a reallocation within the budget of the office of science and technology, £0.5 million.

I assume that the newly established science and technology groups referred to by the Deputy, relates to the working group which I announced recently. This working group will have representation from the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Education and Science, and from Forbairt-Enterprise Ireland and the Higher Education Authority.

I am currently considering the terms of reference for the working group. I have already announced that the remit of the working group will include examining the future funding arrangements for basic research, which includes arrangements for next year.

The inter departmental committee on science and technology, which I chair, has a broader role than that of the working group. It has representatives from all 12 science and technology spending Departments. Its function is to advise the Government on national science and technology investment priorities, a task which is carried out as part of the annual estimates and budget cycle. The targeted membership of the working group will allow for a more detailed examination of future funding arrangements for basic research than would be possible under the inter departmental committee.
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