AMID GROWING concern about poor facilities in many third-level colleges, €58 million was allocated yesterday for the refurbishment of research facilities at 20 colleges under the Research Facilities Enhancement Scheme.
The package includes more than €8 million in funding for a refurbishment of the old science block at UCD. In all UCD receives more than €10 million.
Major recipients include TCD (€8 million), NUI Galway (€6 .1 million), DCU (€5 million) UCC (€7.2 million) UL (€4.8million) and NUI Maynooth (€4.9 million).
Several institutes of technology including Waterford IT (€3.2 million), IT Tallaght (€1.4 million) and Athlone IT (€1.8million) also receive substantial new funding.
Earlier this week, two university leaders warned of a deepening funding crisis at third level. UCD president Dr Hugh Brady and Trinity provost Dr John Hegarty said the Republic risked falling behind other EU states.
Minister for Education Mary Hanafin said "continued strong investment in research infrastructure sends a very important message that Ireland is serious about research. Attracting first-class researchers and delivering world-class research in a globally competitive environment is paramount. The training of future researchers will ultimately bring economic and social benefits nationally."
The scheme is being managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Education and Science and the level of funding allocated to each institution was based on applications received and assessed by a panel representing the Department and the HEA.
A recent HEA/Forfás Research Infrastructure Review had identified shortfalls in research infrastructure and "this funding will assist in addressing these shortfalls and enhance the capabilities of the institutions," said Ms Hanafin.
Funding comes from the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013. New research infrastructure and large equipment will continue to be catered for through the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions.
Ms Hanafin said "the research conducted in these centres holds wide-ranging possibilities for society and has the potential to impact enormously on all our lives. This funding is being invested in cutting-edge research facilities, which will result in excellence in research activity."
