Third Level Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Questions (1368)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

1368. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how he intends the Committees of the Board, known as Councils, as part of the new national research agency referenced in the Research and Innovation Bill 2023, will operate; if they should be mandatory to ensure diversity of expertise and advice in relation to excellence in research and innovation and research priorities, including representing researchers at all career stages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27905/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The General Scheme of the Research and Innovation Bill 2023 provides that the Board of the new agency may establish committees to assist and advise it in relation to the performance of any of its functions. The Bill proposes that, where committees are established to provide specific research expertise, they should be known as “Councils”, with the policy rationale underpinning this that it will provide the Board with a mechanism to ensure that it continues to have access to a wide range of research advice.

In line with similar legislative provisions elsewhere, it is proposed that the establishment of such committees would be a matter for the Board which needs to have the flexibility and agility to respond to the changing Research and Innovation landscape.

Consultation with wider stakeholders, with particular regard to the research community, is being planned in order to seek feedback on the operationalisation of the functions of the new agency. The structure of such councils will be considered further in this context.