Vol. 522 No. 4
296 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the decline of £8 million in his Department's spending on research and development revealed in the Forfás review of spending on science and technology 1999 (Table 2). [19062/00]
The Scientific and Technological Education (Investment) Fund Act, 1997, facilitated the payment by Government of Exchequer moneys totalling over £280 million into the fund over a three year period 1998 to 2000. An amount of £130 million was paid into the fund in 1998, £75 million in 1999 and the balance will be paid in 2000. The fund is an innovative measure which is parallel and additional to the normal Estimates process. The fund contains a provision of £50 million which is targeted at research and development. The figures referred to by the Deputy represent an apportionment of the research and development element of the moneys paid into the fund in 1998 and 1999. This funding of £50 million has been incorporated within the programme for research in third level institutions launched in November 1998 which involves investment of almost £230 million in research and development. This investment will be further enhanced by the £550 million investment in research, technological development and innovation which is part of the national development plan.
297 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the finding that State spending on research and development at third level in 1999 of £95.9 million represents a substantially higher level than the seven year projection of £550 million on research and development in the education sector set out in the national plan; and if he will indicate the basis of the £550 million indicative projection. [19063/00]
The figure of £95.9 million referred to by the Deputy represents expenditure on research and development in science and technology departments in third level institutions. This figure includes both Exchequer and non-Exchequer funding and a significant element of the Exchequer funding is an apportionment from the general block grant provided by the Higher Education Authority to the universities. As such this figure of £95.9 million cannot be compared with the dedicated annual allocation from the £550 million specific funding being provided for research and development activities under the national development plan.
The broad profile of this £550 million allocation is currently being finalised.
298 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the total spending in 1998 and 1999 by his Department, or agencies funded by it, on grants, fellowships or bursaries for individual research projects in third level institutions. [19064/00]
299 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the total number of post-graduate students in research projects of post-graduate studentships and of post-doctoral fellowships funded by his Department in each of the past years 1998 and 1999. [19066/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 299 together.
