Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
637. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will carry out an audit on the quality of research equipment and infrastructure across all third-level institutions and commit to any potential upgrades that may be needed as identified by this audit. [46261/23]
View answerThe revised national development plan, NDP, provides for Exchequer investment of nearly €2.9 billion in further and higher education infrastructure, research and innovation over the five-year period from 2021 to 2025. Research infrastructure is a critical element of an enabling R&I environment. Impact 2030 commits to the development of a framework for future research and innovation capital investment to identify the main infrastructural requirements. The framework will include consideration of how best to leverage private sector and other external funding sources.
I might add that the SFI Research Infrastructure Programme supports the research community in building and sustaining infrastructural capacity to accomplish high-quality, high-impact and innovative research that demonstrably enhances and supports enterprise competitiveness and societal development. SFI holds periodic infrastructure calls. There were three calls over the period from 2015 to 2021. There was a total of 76 awardees over the period from 2015 to 2020, with a total awarded of €127 million and an average award value of €1.7 million. Funding of €53.3 million across 33 awards was made under the 2021 programme. The SFI Research Infrastructure Programme 2023 call was for Strategic Research Infrastructure proposals that focus on large-scale items in areas of national priority and other areas of strategic opportunity. Submissions are currently under review, and final approved awards will be announced before the end of the year.
Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs. My Department and the HEA will be working with universities and third level institutions to ensure they are equipped with the best possible tools.
My Department will also be supporting new higher education projects approved to progress to the next stage under two programme calls announced in 2022 - the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF) & Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund (HESIF) II. Funding provided under the TSSPF will strengthen the technological sector by supporting additional capacity and delivering core infrastructure improvements including research and innovation activity.
