Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The programme for research in third level institutions is coming to a natural end. The funding comes in blocks. The current block is nearly running out. Fewer than 18 projects are being finalised. Expenditure on students and PhDs is now regarded as capital expenditure as a result of a change in the accountancy rules. The programme in question is winding down naturally. Investment in this whole area, in terms of maintenance and additional capital requirements, is being looked at in the new strategy that is being considered at the moment. A study that is ongoing will report into that and feed into our strategy, which we hope to have published in July of this year.