In November 2002, following publication of the Book of Estimates for 2003, I announced a pause in relation to all capital developments in the third level sector, including capital projects under cycle 3 of the programme for research in third level institutions, pending clarification of the future funding position.
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.
I am fully appreciative of the importance of developing the research infrastructure in the higher education sector to enable a successful transition to the knowledge society, which has been identified as the key strategic objective for Ireland's future economic and social prosperity. The establishment of the programme for research in third level institutions by the Government was informed by that strategic imperative and the Government remains committed to it. Since 1999, €160 million of public Exchequer funding, current and capital, has been directly expended on PRTLI projects. The total capital and current funding value of projects approved for inclusion under the three cycles of the programme, taking account of private sector contributions, is €605 million. The investment that has been made to date has had a transforming impact on the development of research capacity, in fostering a culture of research excellence and in promoting inter-disciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration on an unprecedented scale across the Irish higher education sector. To date, 17 out of a planned 33 research centres have been completed and some 1,600 research positions are supported under the PRTLI.
Our national research effort is an ongoing one. We have set ourselves a long-term goal in terms of our percentage of GDP spend on research and development by 2010. The Government will continue to keep that goal in sight, even if progress towards it has to be slowed in a period of tight public expenditure policy constraints.
As Minister for Education and Science, I have to balance a number of highly sensitive and immediate issues to which an appropriate priority has to be afforded. Equally I understand that real sustainable progress on all fronts is only possible if we can achieve the social and economic growth that will flow in the longer term from continuing investment in research and knowledge.