Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 4

Written Answers. - Third Level Research.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

268 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the approximate number of man-hours devoted to research in higher education institutions in each of the past ten years; the expected number under the national plan by 2003; and if he has estimated the impact or the intake of postgraduate students that this implies. [16086/00]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

271 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of the annual expenditure on research in higher education institutions in each of the past ten years; the projected annual expenditure under the national plan by 2003; of the major subject areas of research; and the source of funds for research in the higher education institutions in the past ten years, distinguishing in particular between direct State aid and privately commissioned research funds from general endowments and indirect State contribution through tax relief. [16091/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 271 together.

My Department does not compile statistics on the number of man-hours devoted to research in the third level sector. However, I understand that Forfás collects data on full time researchers in the higher education sector and I am arranging for this information to be forwarded to the Deputy.

Research in the third level sector has been radically transformed by the joint public-private programme for research in third level institutions which was launched in November 1998. The main objectives of the programme are to promote the development of high quality research capabilities in third level institutions, so as to enhance the quality and relevance of graduate output and skills, and to enable a strategic and planned approach by third level institutions to the long-term development of their research capabilities. Awards under the programme are made follow ing a competitive process of international peer review and 11 successful institutions were awarded £162.5 million under cycle 1 of the programme in July 1999. Cycle 2 of the programme was launched in December 1999 and £65 million is being provided for the period 2000 to 2003. The national development plan includes provision for an investment of £550 million over the period 2000 to 2006 in research, technological development and innovation, RTDI. The precise annual allocation over the lifetime of the plan has yet to be finalised.

In relation to the increase in the demand for post doctorate researchers and for post-graduate research students at both masters and PhD levels, the expert group on future skills needs has noted that it is difficult to determine the precise level of increase over the level of activity in 1998 and 1999 because there will be some element of replacement involved where existing research personnel transfer to the new programmes. It has, however, estimated additional demand in this area and I am arranging for these estimates to be forwarded to the Deputy.

A total of £1.2 billion has been allocated to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for RTDI for industrial development purposes. While it is not possible to set out with precise accuracy the allocation to higher education, a sum of around £25 million per annum, from the overall amount of £1.2 billion, is expected to be allocated to a national collaboration programme which will create networks involving companies and researchers in the third level sector.

The overall allocation also includes a sum of £560 million for the setting up of a technology foresight fund. A dedicated research foundation, which will operate as a sub-board of Forfás, is being set up and will fund world class research projects in niche areas of information and communication technologies, ICT's, and biotechnology. This will be carried out on the basis of a competitive peer review process following a call for proposals for which higher education institutions can compete provided they satisfy the relevant criteria. A sum of £25 million has been allocated to the fund for 2000 and annual expenditure will increase significantly in subsequent years as the foundation establishes itself.

I am arranging to forward to the Deputy information on contract research income in the university sector for the years 1993 to 1999 for which figures are readily available and contract research broken down by source of funds for the academic year 1996-97 which is the only year for which this information is readily available. This information is not readily available in the institute of technology sector. Research in both sectors is also funded by way of the annual core grant to these institutions.

269.

Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the financial supports currently made available to postgraduate students undertaking research under the programmes reported by agencies funded by his Department; and if he has conducted any assessment of the way in which this financial package compares to that available in the UK, in the USA and in continental Europe. [16088/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

The Higher Education Authority administers two programmes on behalf of my Department which involve support for post-graduate students.

Under the programme for research at third level the support for postgraduate students ranges from £7,000 to £12,000 per annum and clusters around £8,000. In seeking funding under this programme institutions have the freedom to seek allocations at the level they consider appropriate.

The council for the humanities and social sciences awards Government of Ireland scholarships of £8,000 per annum to post-graduate students in the humanities and social sciences.

In the institute of technology sector, supports for post-graduate research programmes vary between approximately £4,200 and £7,000.

My Department has not conducted an assess ment on how this level of funding compares with such funding in other countries.

I would also mention that postgraduate students can apply for fee and maintenance grant awards under the terms of the higher education grants scheme and the vocational education committees scholarships scheme.