Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the percentage of the €8 billion committed to the strategy for science, technology and innovation that is being spent on achieving the aim of doubling the number of PhD students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44338/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation constitutes one of the principal pillars of the National Development Plan 2007-2013, and is underpinned by a projected total investment of €8.2 billion. It is an integrated whole of Government approach to the realisation of an agreed vision that, by 2013, Ireland will be internationally renowned for the excellence of its research and at the forefront in generating and using new knowledge for economic and social progress, within an innovation driven culture.

The €8.2 billion allocation within the SSTI provides for separate programmes of support across a number of Government departments. This investment aims to improve the scale and quality of research carried out in Ireland. The allocation is disaggregated on the basis of research funding activities on a sectoral basis, each of which will be contributing to varying degrees to the funding of expanded PhD outputs.

Doubling the number of PhD graduates by 2013 is just one of the goals of this investment. Increasing the number of research teams within our higher education system, enhanced collaboration with industry and increased investment by enterprise in R & D activities are also essential for the development of a world class research system. My colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has lead responsibility for the whole of Government approach to implementation of the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation. The range of relevant activities under various Ministers is also overseen by a Cabinet Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation.

The SSTI target to double the output of PhDs by 2013 is advancing significantly. The most recent data show total PhD numbers rising to over 1000 in 2007, increasing from 808 in 2005. This indicates that we are on track for achieving our goal of producing in excess of 1,300 PhD graduates annually by 2013.

The achievement of the overall target of PhD numbers will rely on inputs and funding contributions of a range of cross-sectoral research funders. The full aggregate cost contribution across each of the agencies involved is not available. However it is anticipated that full implementation of planned SSTI investments across Government will enable the target to be met. My Department is directly contributing to the achievement of this target through its funding of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, the Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology and the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences, all of which provide funding for PhD students. Cycle 4 of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions will fund some 300 PhD students over its lifespan and over 1000 students are undertaking a PhD in 2008 with funding support from the two research councils.