Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept that a lot of good work is being done. I draw the Minister of State's attention to the programme for research in third level institutions, the PRTLI. Since 2015, research funding for universities and colleges under this programme has been cut by 56%. This scheme is critical, as it provides for the upgrading of facilities and allows for investment in laboratories and libraries, thus promoting research. It is a major disappointment that there has been no successor scheme, as the last cycle expired in 2015. Will the Minister of State consider looking at or introducing a new five-year cycle with respect to this programme?

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