A GOVERNMENT plan to invest €300 million in third-level research will provide facilities for more than 1,400 college researchers in a bid to drive future job creation.

THE Government is to drive ahead with delayed funding for third-level research as part of its economic recovery plan, although it is uncertain if the €450 million which had been expected will materialise.

WORK to develop cancer treatments, healthier food and high-end technology has been funded by University College Cork’s €150 million share of a national research fund, but the Government is under pressure to make the next round of money available as soon as possible.

AN additional 900 research places will be made available as part of a €230 million Government investment in third-level colleges announced yesterday.

ONE of the largest information and communications technology research groups in Ireland will welcome Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on Monday to showcase their extensive work in the communications technology sector.

COLLEGES such as Waterford Institute of Technology must constantly adapt and change their programmes to meet the skills needs of industry and their student cohort, WIT director, Prof Kieran R Byrne, said yesterday.

WATERFORD Institute of Technology has received a major boost with the signing of contracts for two new projects with a combined value of €7 million.

THE Government must urgently invest in third level colleges for the benefit of the whole country, a university president said yesterday.

INCREASED funding and more overseas students are needed to help Ireland attain a world class reputation for research in its third level institutions, the OECD has suggested.

THE head of one of the country’s leading universities accused the Government of threatening research competitiveness yesterday.

FUNDING for university buildings to train extra workers for the health sector will no longer be a priority as third-level institutions continue to be hit by cutbacks.

ALL schools were promised modernisation in the Programme for Government but hundreds are still awaiting the go-ahead for upgrades a year later.