Written Answers. - Research Funding.
Liz McManus
Question:
108
Ms McManus
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed that more than ?50 million in private funding for research in Irish universities might be put at risk due to the Government's decision to cut public funding for such research; the steps he intends to take to ensure that this funding is not lost to Irish universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26499/03]
Phil Hogan
Question:
144
Mr. Hogan
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if he will reverse the decision to reduce research and development funding to third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26442/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 144 together.
I would like to place this in context. Since the establishment of the programme for research in third level institutions in 1998, my Department has invested €165 million in the development of research infrastructure within all third level institutions. In addition to this, Atlantic Philanthropies, who are partners in the programme, donated a further €120 million. The combined impact of this dedicated source of research funds has transformed the landscape within the third level sector. This includes new research funding to 15 third level institutions, including six institutes of technology, 17 research centres completed up to September 2003, 62 new and expanded research programmes established, 40 new inter-institutional programmes-initiatives established, more than 1,600 postgraduate and post-doctoral positions created; and more than 2,400 peer reviewed publications to date arising from the PRTLI funded programmes.
The third phase of the PRTLI, cycle 3, was launched in 2001 and its cost was estimated at €320 million, of which €176 million is capital. Of this amount, my Department intends to provide €141 million with Atlantic Philanthropies providing the remaining €35 million. However, in November 2002, I was faced with specific decisions in the context of the overall constraints on the 2003 budget and the need to achieve a balance across policy areas within this. As a result I announced a pause of the capital element of PRTLI. Therefore, an allocation of €7.5 million was made to meet the legal contractual commitments of higher education institutions. It is also important to note that overall current research expenditure funding, which also supports the other research strands, including the research councils, institutes of technology, North-South co-operation and HEAnet, was increased by almost €4 million to €48 million in 2003.
Notwithstanding the pause on capital expenditure in 2003, I have continued to emphasise my support for the PRTLI going forward. Our national research effort requires the commitment of many agencies, including Science Foundation Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. However, the bedrock of this effort must be the capacity of higher education institutions to promote and generate the skills required to sustain the knowledge society to which we all aspire. It is for this reason that I was pleased to announce last Friday, 7 November the re-instatement of capital funding for the programme in the 2004 Estimates. This reflects my personal commitment and that of Government to the PRTLI, and its central objective of building and increasing Ireland's research capacity.
My officials will consult the Higher Education Authority in order to ensure the maximum return on this programme. I am also satisfied that this will enable Atlantic Philanthropies to fulfil its publicly stated commitment of continuing its financial support until the completion of cycle 3 of PRTLI. I take this opportunity to record my appreciation and that of the Government for the substantial contribution that Atlantic Philanthropies has made to higher education in Ireland and for the lasting impact of this for the wider community.
