Vol. 565 No. 2
275 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps which are planned to promote home-grown research and development facilities, with Irish-led research teams, in view of the fact that Ireland has the second lowest investment level of indigenous research and development in the EU. [10564/03]
In 1998, my Department established the programme for research in third level institutions, PRTLI. Since its launch, awards of €605 million have been made. The cumulative impact of PRTLI to date has been significant, including new research funding to 15 third level institutions in total, including six institutes of technology; nine research centres completed in 2002, in addition to the four completed in 2001; 62 new and expanded research programmes have been established; 40 new inter-institutional programmes-initiatives have been established; and over 2,000 peer reviewed publications to date arising from PRTLI funded programmes, over 2.5 years, representing a 250% increase in output in those funded areas compared to the previous period.
It is important to note that this dedicated programme of expenditure is only one of the available funding mechanisms within the third level sector. Other agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and the Health Research Bureau also fund specific initiatives within the sector. Within the available resources, my Department will continue to support research as a key priority for the generation of the necessary skills to serve the knowledge society.
The Government remains fully committed to the PRTLI, notwithstanding the pause in capital funding under cycle 3. The role of the programme in the overall architecture of the education system and the knowledge economy is recognised and my Department is working closely with the Higher Education Authority in seeking to maximise this contribution into the future.
Question No. 276 answered with Question No. 10.
Question No. 277 answered with Question No. 83.
