Vol. 571 No. 1
455 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if assistance and support will be given to the National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology (details supplied) in trying to develop biotechnology teaching and research infrastructure at Dublin City University, Dublin 9. [19643/03]
561 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology's work is highly relevant to training young scientists, and employs 100 young scientist and postgraduate researchers at Dublin City University, Tallaght IT and NUI, Maynooth; the reason the funding announced of ?34.4 million under the HEA's PRTLI cycle 3 to develop NICB, including ?6 million for equipment and ?12.5 million for a specialist building, has never materialised and NICB scientists are left without the advanced equipment and laboratory facilities necessary for their research; the steps taken to redress this; when the allocation will be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20344/03]
736 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans for both capital and current funding for the National Institute of Cellular Biotechnology; and if he will make a statement on his plans for the future of same. [21318/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 455, 561and 736 together.
The National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology at Dublin City University was awarded funding under Cycle 3 of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions in December 2001. I announced a pause in relation to all capital developments in the third level sector, including capital projects under Cycle 3 of PRTLI, pending clarification of the future funding position.
While I am well aware of the importance of research and the value of projects such as the NICB, I have to place the demand for resources for projects under PRTLI with many other equally meritorious programmes in the education area. My Department is currently engaged in the Estimates campaign with the Department of Finance which will determine the resources available, both capital and current, for the education sector. I will have to allocate the available funding on the basis of priority policies which can only be determined when the funding for 2004 for my Department is decided.
