IRELAND'S reputation in research and innovation is in danger from a lack of sufficient investment at university level, according to Dr Eoin O'Neill, director of innovation services in Trinity College, Dublin.
He said that the lack of research funding was driving "well-trained" people out of the State and denying an opportunity to attract and keep high-tech companies in Ireland. "There is a problem in that there is no great enthusiasm in the political system for research," he said.
His comments support the views in a consultants' report prepared for the Higher Education Authority, which warns that the lack of proper funding for university research could have a serious effect on the continuing development of the economy.
According to the report, prepared by the Circa Group Europe but not yet published, Ireland has the lowest level of public funding of university research in Europe. Support for research is less than 5 per cent of university budgets, compared to up to half in other European institutions.
Yet the report also commends the quality of Irish research and confirms its international reputation, despite the continuing lack of funding.
The report recommends a £20 million increase in State funding for research and an increase in the universities' annual capital equipment provision from £2 million to £5 million.
"I can't understand why that has not been taken on board by, the Government," said Prof Frank Hegarty, chairman of the board for funded research in University College, Dublin. "The equipment provision in the universities is very poor, particularly in the older buildings."
The Fianna Fail spokesman on education, Mr Micheal Martin, said that the report's findings were a "damning indictment" of Government policy towards basic research in the university sector.
Mr Alan Dickson, spokesman for Forbairt, said there was a growing awareness in industry of the need for research and development. At university level, Forbairt approved support for 30 campus companies last year and its research fund spent £5 million on 423 projects in 1995.