Minister Confirms Extra €15.8m Funding For UCC

The Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, has announced additional funding of €15.86m to develop the Tyndall Institute at University College Cork into a world-class research facility.

The funding, which will be provided through Science Foundation Ireland during the period 2008-2011, will allow for the expansion and development of the Institute’s base at Lee Maltings site.

Announcing the funding Minister Martin said: “This investment will see Tyndall evolve into a truly national institute which will be at the cutting edge in the delivery of next generation technology. Since it was established in 2004 the institute has already proved invaluable in the services it offers to our high tech industry as well as increasing the number of graduates for the knowledge economy.”

The Minister added: “The development of Tyndall is a key element in positioning Ireland at the forefront of new emerging technologies and ensuring the delivery of high quality jobs for our people into the future. This additional funding is part of a long term commitment to develop Tyndall as a world-class institute.”

“This funding will allow the continued expansion and development of the Institute’s base at Lee Maltings and promote access to its facilities by researchers throughout Ireland. It is an important strategic investment to ensure Ireland will be at the forefront in generating and using new knowledge for economic and social progress within an innovation driven culture.”

“The investment is an important step forward towards achieving the goals set out in the Government’s Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation which has the aim of ensuring Ireland will be internationally renowned for the excellence of our research by 2013.”

The funding provision by Science Foundation will be subject to progress reviews as measured against agreed milestones, goals and metrics with Tyndall over the 2008 - 2011 period.

(CD/SP)