The Committee is extremely supportive of DEL's bid for £20m over five years from the Executive Programme Infrastructure Fund to enhance Research and Development (R&D) in higher education. Members consider this to be a major priority as the universities, and their research and development base in particular, are the powerhouse of developing a knowledge-based economy in Northern Ireland, but have been under funded for some considerable time. Over the last decade or so, funding for university-based R&D in Northern Ireland has declined by some 20% in real terms, compared to an increase of 20% in Great Britain, thus increasing the differential.

In previous responses, the Committee has urged the Executive to ensure that a longer-term commitment to R&D, in terms of a major increase in funding, is put in place. This bid is an extremely important part of ensuring that this commitment is met.

The Department for Finance and Personnel's criteria state that 'joint bids, or bids that have the support of other departments will be particularly welcome.' DEL's draft application states that this bid 'will complement funding from Invest Northern Ireland to develop projects/centres of excellence.' During the briefing, officials also informed the Committee that DEL were co-operating with several other departments and in particular the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), regarding university research. The cross-cutting nature of the bid therefore needs to be emphasised further, and DEL should seek formal support form the Department of Entreprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) and DHSSPS, as a successful bid in this area will also help in the achievement of these Departments' objectives.

Members were informed that the economic appraisal to support the bid was currently being prepared and officials agreed to forward this for the Committee's consideration on completion.

The Committee considers DEL's bid to be especially innovative, as it involves receipt of £20m in match funding from the private sector. The Department should emphasise in the finalised application that the definite offer of matched funding from the private sector needs to be taken up by the summer, otherwise the opportunity will be lost.

Whilst the Committee appreciates that specific research projects could not be bid for until funding is received, the finalised bid needs to set out in some form, the aims and objectives of the bid and how these will be measured, in order to meet DFP's criteria, and therefore maximise the potential for a successful application.

Finally, DEL stated in their draft Budget 2002 Position Report that there were 'significant backlogs in capital investment requirements for both maintenance and new build projects in HE and FE, with around £250m required over the next 2-3 years.' The Committee has sought further clarification on the Department's long-term plan for capital investment in its response to DEL's draft Budget 2002 Position Report. Given this situation, the Department may have considered submitting further bids for support from the Executive Programme Infrastructure Fund.

In conclusion, the Committee for Employment and Learning is very supportive of this bid and wish the application to go forward with the above enhancements.