Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 337: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the level of investment by his Department in the development of biotechnology research facility at third level institutions here over the past ten years, the amount of money invested in this by the Exchequer and the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43783/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, which is funded by my Department, provides funding for the development of research facilities and collaborative programmes across all disciplines, including biotechnology.

Of the €865 million committed to date under the Programme, some €412 million has been committed to the biosciences and biomedical disciplines. This investment provides for underpinning infrastructure and capacity building across these broad disciplines and supports biotechnology research as well as fundamental research in the life sciences, medicine and agriculture. It is not possible to attribute what proportion of this funding supported biotechnology research specifically. A table outlining the details of these projects and the funding provided from the Exchequer and private sources is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy.

In addition, PRTLI has awarded funds to projects in Environmental and Marine Sciences, and Material Science and Engineering. Some of these projects would also involve an element of biotechnology research.