Science: The Government has signalled its commitment to scientific research with substantial increases in investment planned for 2004. The Irish research community has warmly welcomed the move, in particular the renewal of capital spending under a programme that was suspended in the last Estimates.
The "pause" in capital spending under the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) run by the Department of Education and Science sent shockwaves through the third-level sector.
This pause is now over with €25 million allocated on the capital side under PRTLI.
Non-capital spending under the programme will reach €16.5 million this year, a slight gain on 2003.
Much more fundamental change for the better was seen in the research-related estimates for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which jumped by 36 per cent from €148.521 million to €201.334 million.
The Tánaiste also administers this Department, which runs the Science Foundation Ireland programme. Its allocation rose by a startling 62 per cent to €113.72 million, Ms Harney said yesterday.