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Research and Development

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022

Tuesday, 8 March 2022

Questions (90)

Denis Naughten

Question:

90. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will establish a science and technology policy fellowship within the civil service to provide opportunities to scientists and engineers to learn first-hand about policymaking and contribute their knowledge and analytical skills in policy development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11290/22]

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Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that my Department’s agencies, the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland, currently have initiatives in place to bring researchers closer to the work of the Oireachtas and to connect elected representatives with the world leading research that is happening in Ireland.

In July 2018 the Irish Research Council launched its Oireachtas Shadowing Scheme. The scheme has seen some of Ireland’s most prominent researchers ‘shadowing’ members of the Oireachtas for the day in Leinster House. The scheme was developed by the Irish Research Council to bridge the divide between policy-making and research and to ensure that elected representatives are supported to avail of and engage with publicly funded research. 

The Oireachtas Shadowing Scheme pairs an Irish Research Council-funded researcher with a member of the Oireachtas. Typically, the researcher will be matched with a TD or Senator from his or her local constituency or who has expertise in an area of interest. The researcher accompanies the TD or Senator to Leinster House on the agreed date, observes proceedings and shadows their work for the day. The scheme is an excellent opportunity for researchers to deepen their understanding of political engagement and the policy-making system – and for members of the Oireachtas to engage directly with publicly-funded researchers. Members are welcome to do a return visit to the researcher’s institution, if they wish. 

The scheme was due to run again in 2020 but was paused as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Irish Research Council is looking into future pairing as social distancing measures ease. The next pairings will expand to include Irish members of the European Parliament and initial contacts have already taken place with selected MEPs. 

In 2019 Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) launched a pilot programme which is designed to attain the objectives referenced by the Deputy.   

This programme offers researchers a unique opportunity to be temporarily seconded to Government Departments and Agencies to work on specific projects where they can add value resulting in mutually beneficial outcomes. The programme recognises the importance of connecting the Irish research community with public sector organisations to help inform new policy and improve the services that they deliver and contribute to solving national societal challenges.  This initiative will contribute to the Government’s objective of promoting a culture of innovation through collaboration, knowledge exchange and the development and implementation of data-driven and evidence-based approaches, as outlined in Our Public Service 2020.

Following the Public Service Fellowship programme pilot, SFI is exploring options to re-launch this important initiative, subject to budget availability.

A total of 12 Public Service Fellowships were awarded with placements in a number of hosts: Houses of the Oireachtas Library and Research Services (6 Fellows), the Department of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration (1 Fellow), Food Safety Authority of Ireland (2 Fellows), The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (2 Fellows) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (1 Fellow). Of the 12 Fellowships, 7 were due to end their placement in 2021. The remaining Fellows will carry out their placements until 2023.

It has become very clear the essential input, expertise and service that the academic research community can provide to bolster colleagues in Government Departments and agencies.

Equally, placements within Government Departments and agencies will expose academic researchers to the mechanics of public service and policy making which will contribute greatly to their career development. The secondment model will also provide an opportunity for further dissemination of knowledge and learnings to a broader academic cohort on return of the Fellow to their academic institution. Thus, the SFI Public Service Fellowship pilot programme will help in increasing the linkages between the research and civil service systems.

In addition my Department initiated the Creating our Future campaign - our national conversation on the role research can and should play in addressing opportunities, challenges and hopes for the future. I am pleased to say that over eighteen thousand submissions were received.

I also recently announced plans to decouple the Chief Science Advisor role from the role of the Director General of Science Foundation Ireland in the medium term. In August, my Department initiated informal discussions with stakeholders on the provision of science advice. My Department will present a formal consultation document and commence a public consultation, in Q2 2022, on the provision of science advice to identify the best model for Ireland. The Department will work together with other Departments and also take advice from the European Commission, OECD and other international experts in formulating detailed proposals.

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