Action Plan for Jobs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Questions (463)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

463. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update and details on the proposed partnership between Science Foundation Ireland and the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland, as per action 142 of the Action Plan for Jobs, and which was due to be undertaken during the first quarter of 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13170/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Action 142 in the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 calls for the development of strategic partnerships with major stakeholders in Northern Ireland. In terms of delivering this Action, a Quarter 1 2014 timeline was given to Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to develop a partnership with the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland (DELNI).

This Action has been delivered on time. On 22 January 2014 SFI and DELNI formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Armagh. The two organisations have agreed to the implementation of a co-funding partnership as a component of the Science Foundation Ireland Investigators Programme (IvP) call.