§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to secure and develop research activity within Northern Ireland universities for the future.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe Government recognise the value of the research done at Northern Ireland's two universities, particularly its importance to the strengthening of the local economy and are already providing public funding in excess of £30 million a year to support such research.
The Department of Education for Northern Ireland is currently considering, in consultation with the universities, what arrangements for the funding of basic research
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Number of awards Academic year Education and library board 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 Belfast 230 109 67 43 38 North Eastern 179 93 65 31 25 South Eastern 130 82 51 38 34 Southern 389 303 192 102 112 Western 575 398 171 91 144 Total number of awards 1,503 985 546 305 353 should succeed the present system, under which the department receives advice from the Universities Funding Council, when the latter ceases to exist in 1993.
It is hoped that the new arrangements will continue to provide the universities with positive incentives not only to carry out research of international quality but to meet the needs of industry and society in Northern Ireland.