Efforts are under way within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to find additional State funding to support third-level student research projects.
A new working group to examine future funding arrangements for basic research is also to be established. It will include representatives from the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Education and Science, with Forbairt/Enterprise Ireland and the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
The money, if it becomes available, will go towards basic research projects assessed and awarded via the National Research Support Fund Board. The board had hoped to support up to 90 new projects in 1998 and had shortlisted 137 for this purpose.
It has been able to finance only 29 projects so far because the anticipated budget for new starts was not made available.
The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Noel Treacy, recently announced an extra £3.5 million for basic research allocated from funds voted to the Department of Education and Science. This funding, however, will be awarded to third-level institutions rather than individual projects and will be administered by the HEA.
"The Minister of State realises there is effectively still a problem, despite the extra £3.5 million that was made available," according to a source in the Department. "We are aware of the urgency of the situation, and strong efforts are being made to overcome the problem," he said. The new working group was being established to achieve better co-ordination between the two Departments, both of which are served as Minister of State by Mr Treacy. "It will strengthen lines between the two Departments," the source said.
The HEA welcomed the increase in basic research funding and Mr Treacy's commitment that the system of funding for individual research projects via the Research Support Fund Board would continue. "The funding of individual projects on this basis is a key part of a national strategy for the funding of research and development," the HEA said in a statement.
