Michael Ring
Question:55 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the support from the European structural funds for scientific development here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14797/02]
Written Answers. - Science and Technology Development.
The National Development Plan 2000-2006 makes provision for funding in the education sector, through the Community Support Framework. This funding is directed at the scientific and technological areas through the Employment and Human Resources Development Operational Programme and the Productive Sector Operational Programme.
In particular, the undergraduate skills programme and the capital strand of the programme for research in third level institutes are part EU aided through the CSF.
The undergraduate skills programme is delivered through the universities and institutes of technology. Its objective is to bolster the skills profile of graduates in a number of key scientific and technological areas identified in the reports of the expert group on future skills needs, such as information technology and the chemical and biological sciences area. The Employment and Human Resources Operational Programme has made provision for funding amounting to €108.8 million over the 2000-06 period, of which €63.19 million is comprised of EU aid.
The capital strand of the PRTLI programme aims to strengthen infrastructural supports for research in the higher education sector. This will provide the foundations on which to build a critical mass of high quality research capacity. The Productive Sector Operational Programme has made provision for funding amounting to €361 million over the 2000-06 period, of which €58.3 is comprised of EU aid.