Eleven third-level institutions are to share in a £162 million research funding programme, the largest such investment undertaken in the State.
The joint public and private sector initiative, which will benefit Trinity College, UCD and the Athlone Institute of Technology among others, was announced yesterday by the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Martin, and the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr Noel Treacy. The massive injection of funds would have a "major impact in helping to keep Ireland at the cutting edge of international research", Mr Martin said.
It is expected the institutions will use the funds to recruit about 500 researchers as well as purchasing equipment and building research centres. Third-level departments of science, technology, humanities and social sciences will be the main beneficiaries.
Welcoming the announcement, Dr Don Thornhill, chairman of the Higher Education Authority, described the programme as "the most important and exciting development that has ever taken place in the history of research in Ireland".
About half the funding for this first phase of the authority's administered programme for research will be provided by the State, while half is being raised privately by the 11 institutions which were selected in competition by an international assessment panel.
The overall funding is £40 million more than expected, as the Government allocated an additional £20 million which will also be matched by the private sector.
Announcing the details, Mr Treacy said the Government wanted to provide resources for researchers which would allow the institutions to develop international quality research which would lead to more applied research and development.
The level of funding of third-level research in the State had been among the lowest in the OECD.
The largest amount is to go to Trinity College Dublin, which was awarded nearly £39 million for projects which include the creation of a £20 million high-tech library and information centre - this is being funded on condition that it becomes a national research library.
The Provost of TCD, Mr Tom Mitchell, yesterday said he was "absolutely delighted". "It marks the beginning of a sea-change in attitude that was needed in relation to research in the Irish university system," he said. One of the projects to receive funding is a joint initiative between TCD and universities in Northern Ireland and Scotland to examine common cultural heritage.
Another big recipient of funds was Dublin City University which was awarded almost £22.5 million for work on plasma science and sensor research.
The university's Dean of Research, Mr Conor Long said it was "a good day for DCU". "It is a tremendous boost for the resear chers already working in the system," he said.
The latest funds are the first phase of a three-year funding programme announced last year by the Government. The details of the second phase, with a fund of £50 million, will be announced later this year.