© ÖVP
19. 07. 12. - 17:09
Science Ministry sitting on half a billion
Not everyone in Austria is feeling the pinch. According to latest figures, the Ministry of Science is sitting on nearly half a billion Euros.
The ministry, headed by ÖVP MP Karlheinz Töchterle, has now been accused of holding back vital funds desperately needed by universities by opposition politicians.
The FP’s science spokesman Martin Graf said: „If Töchterle carries on the way he is doing, then he’ll soon have saved the half a billion euros that needs to be saved. Unfortunately it’s with the money that has been withheld from universities and students for years.
„It’s about time he stops this sleeping beauty act and gets active in further education policies."
The student’s union (ÖH) has also blasted the minister for withholding funds. Spokeswoman Janine Wulz said: „This enormous increase in the ministry’s coffers is making us extremely sceptical. What are they saving all this money for?"
Wulz fears that by withholding cash the ministry wants to pressurise universities into introducing tuition fees.
But the ministry has defended its savings measures saying not all the money is available and that much of it is set aside for development and various projects.
