Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2021
20. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the changes he is proposing to the allocation of research funding though Science Foundation Ireland in view of the fact that significant new money was awarded in 2020 despite existing and previous grant approved research projects being bypassed nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49587/21]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to the research infrastructure calls that Science Foundation Ireland make from time to time. I should explain at the outset that the management of such calls is a matter for SFI, based on their own processes and having regard to appropriate advice and expertise, including from international experts.
The Infrastructure Call is a very important programme. It supports the research community in building and sustaining the required capacity to deliver high quality, high impact and innovative research in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Proposals that are received on foot of the Call are reviewed by an international panel of experts. For budgetary reasons, some of the proposals that are deemed by the panel to be fundable, have to be placed on a reserve list. This reserve list is time-bound and expires after a certain date. This is to ensure that any infrastructure that is funded is technically state of the art and reflects the most up-to-date priorities.
SFI reviews its priorities and procedures on an ongoing basis to ensure they deliver on strategic objectives and value for money. There are no current plans to fundamentally change the competitive call systems that have generated excellent research and impacts of international significance and repute.
