Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hear exactly what the Deputy is saying. Without doubt, the programme for research in third level institutions, PRTLI, has been an important part of the research funding and it has provided dedicated large-scale research funding for colleges to implement their research strategies and fund the people, equipment and buildings to go with them. The PRTLI has involved €1.2 billion of public and private investment since 1998 in physical research facilities and support for human capital for research. I hear exactly what the Deputy is talking about for the Border. The overarching vision for the PRTLI was to propel Ireland towards establishing an international profile as a premier location for carrying out world-class research and development.

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