Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2003

Vol. 560 No. 1

Written Answers. - Research Funding.

Denis Naughten

Question:

196 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding she intends to make available for scientific research in 2003 by specific programme; the corresponding figures for 2001 and 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1973/03]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The table illustrates the expenditure levels on science and technology programmes disbursed through the office of science and technology from 2001 to 2003. The increasing levels of expenditure during this time reflect the growing priority the Government places on these key areas.

	2003 Estimate	2002 Provisional Outturn	2001
	€m	€m	€m
RTI Industry	28,700	24,403	12,983
RTI Collaboration	35,923	31,079	33,213
RTI Infrastructure	12,000	8,300	5,460
Science Foundation Ireland-Technology Foresight	70,000	35,000	10,900
Subscriptions to International Organisations	10,501	9,283	8,488
Miscellaneous	1,377	0.828	1,040
Total	158,501	108,893	72,084

A key element of Government's industrial development policy is enhanced levels of investment in research, technological development and innovation, RTDI. There is clear evidence that by strategically increasing our spending in these areas fundamentally determines increased future national competitiveness, which ultimately leads to the creation of higher living standards.

Questions Nos. 197 and 198 answered with Question No. 192.