Government is urged to appoint a Minister for Science

THE Government should appoint a Minister for Science and boost investment in scientific research from the current £2.5 million to £12 million, according to recommendations in a new report on science policy.

The report, prepared by the Royal Irish Academy and seen by The Irish Times, describes the impoverished state" of basic research funding, pointing out that a UK based research trust spends more here on discretionary research than the Government. It also highlights the Government's failure to make use of senior scientists when devising policy issues relating to science and technology.

The document is a strongly critical response to the Government's White Paper on Science Technology and innovation, published last October by the Minister of State, Mr Pat Rabbitte. The RIA has forwarded a copy of its response to Mr Rabbitte.

While it welcomes the Government's White Paper and recognises its positive elements, the Academy expressed disappointment that the "excellent preparatory studies" which preceded it "have not proved sufficient for Government to plan and implement a badly needed strategy" for improving the climate for research here.

"We note that the present funding for basic research in Ireland is about to per cent of the OECD average," the document says. It also compares funding in the Republic with that available to Queen's University, Belfast, saying. "We conclude that, for similar projects, funding for research in the Republic of Ireland is at the level of 12 per cent of that in QUB."

It also highlights the low level of support to keep students in research. The £2,000 available for each student is less, it says, than either the dote or a FAS grant.

It recommends a more focused approach by Government, with the appointment of a Minister whose primary responsibility is to look after and promote this area".

It suggests that the Forbairt controlled research fund, worth £2.5 million, be increased to £12 million, bringing spending more into line with OECD norms. It also asks for support to upgrade the universities' research equipment.

The Academy's president, Prof Michael Herity, in a foreword, writes that the RIA "would be failing in its duty to Ireland" if it had not put these issues before Government. "Ireland's economic, social and cultural development depends on the recognition of the vital importance of this view," he says.