Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the status of the programme for research in third-level institutions. [9885/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) was launched in 1998 and comprehends funding for third level research infrastructure, national shared facilities, and structured PhD programmes. The Programme is designed to facilitate Irish institutions to produce world-class research in humanities, science, technology and the social sciences, including business and law.

There are very significant synergies between PRTLI and the Science Foundation Ireland human capital development activities which are, in turn, closely connected to industry and the work of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.

There have been five cycles of awards under the PRTLI to date, which are summarised in the table below as follows, and the funding includes both Exchequer and private contributions.

Following on the successful implementation of the PRTLI Cycles 1-3, approval for Cycle 4 was given in August 2007. A total of €260.75m was approved for projects, with matching private funding comprising €31.62m (12%) of this total.

Under Cycle 4 funding approved for buildings and equipment was €131.3m with €22.48m of this funding from private sources. Fourteen new building projects and seven refurbishment projects were undertaken in line with identified national strategic needs. Currently there are four projects still on site.

Funding approved for national collaborative platforms and networks, and structured PhD programmes was €129.4m with €9.14m of this funding from private sources. Sixteen projects were undertaken. It is anticipated that all Cycle 4 projects will be completed by the end of 2013.

In May 2010 responsibility for funding and policy in respect of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) transferred from the Department of Education and Skills to my Department.

The results of the PRTLI Cycle 5 assessment process were announced in July 2010 with a total funding of €358.7m being approved across 36 distinct projects. Matching private funding comprises €62.6m (17%) of this total. Projects were selected based on international peer assessment with significant input from key national stakeholders.

Funding approved for buildings and equipment was €259.4m. Construction work under the Cycle 5 investment will provide more than 64,000 square metres of research space in new and refurbished buildings on our higher education campuses

Funding approved for Graduate PhD Programmes and skills development was €99.4m, with €3.2m of this from private sources. Cycle 5 will significantly contribute to the Government's goal of developing and enhancing Ireland's capacity to deliver high-quality research in areas of strategic national importance. It will support key areas of economic development such as services innovation, food and drink, pharmaceuticals/biopharmaceuticals, medical technologies, ICT, culture and creative sectors, and energy and environment.

There is a strong emphasis on knowledge transfer and innovation in line with the further development of Ireland's smart economy. Cycle 5 continues the prioritisation of investment in Ireland's development as a knowledge-driven economy, which is a crucial component of the economic recovery process and to laying the basis for our future prosperity.

Cycle 5 signals nationally and internationally that, in spite of budget constraints, research, development and innovation are priorities for this Government and that Ireland is 'open for business'.